Real Madrid's Predicted Starting XI: Super Cup Showdown with Atalanta

The curtain rises on the 2024/25 season for Spanish giants Real Madrid, who face Europa League champions Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup showdown in Warsaw, Poland. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, presents the first chance for the Madrid outfit to lift silverware this campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's manager, could unleash new signings Kylian Mbappé and Endrick Felipe for their competitive debuts, whilst also navigating the first match without veteran midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired in the summer.

Victory in Warsaw would cement Real Madrid's place as the only club to have won the UEFA Super Cup six times, surpassing both FC Barcelona and AC Milan, who currently share five titles apiece. Atalanta, on the other hand, will be contesting their first ever final in the competition, hoping to secure their inaugural trophy.

The signs point towards a positive outcome for Real Madrid, who last tasted defeat in a UEFA Super Cup final in 2018 against Atlético Madrid. Their last loss to a non-Spanish opponent in the final dates back to 2000, when Galatasaray emerged victorious with a golden goal in a 2-1 win.

Real Madrid's Team News: A Near-Full Squad

Real Madrid boasts a virtually fully fit squad for the clash, with David Alaba the only first-team absentee. The Austrian defender is still recovering from a serious ACL injury sustained in December, which could keep him sidelined until 2025. Despite Alaba's absence, Ancelotti has opted to include him in the squad, mirroring his approach from last season.

Encouragingly, Real Madrid have been impressed with the fitness levels of late-returning pre-season players like Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Furthermore, those players involved in the latter stages of the European Championship and Copa América are immediately in contention despite lacking pre-season minutes.

The only notable injuries from the second string come in the form of forward Álvaro Rodríguez, sidelined with an ankle problem, and 16-year-old defender Joan Martínez, who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training last week.

Ancelotti has chosen to leave a number of youngsters behind in Madrid, with Mario Martín and Nico Paz amongst those not travelling to Poland. These players are either negotiating loan moves or preparing for the new season with the reserve team, Castilla.

Real Madrid's Predicted Starting Lineup: Ancelotti's Tactical Choices

Ancelotti previously expressed his intention to field the Champions League-winning squad for the Super Cup final, with the caveat of missing Nacho and Kroos. This suggests only two alterations from the team that beat Borussia Dortmund in last June's final.

The first change will likely occur in defence, where Nacho Fernández's departure for Saudi Arabia opens the door for Éder Militão to reclaim his place at the heart of the defence.

The second alteration comes in midfield, as Kroos's absence allows Ancelotti to solve his tactical dilemma of incorporating Mbappé into the starting eleven. Bellingham is expected to drop deeper into the midfield three, relinquishing his more advanced position, almost as a false nine.

Rodrygo Goes is likely to occupy a central attacking role, flanked by Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé on the wings. The precise positioning of the wide duo remains uncertain.

Therefore, Real Madrid's predicted starting lineup against Atalanta is: Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy; Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde; Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo Goes.

This match presents a fascinating clash between two contrasting sides, each with their own ambitions and motivations. As the first silverware of the season beckons, the stakes are high for both teams, promising an intriguing and potentially memorable encounter in Warsaw.