Real Madrid, the reigning UEFA Champions League holders, are poised to dominate the 2024-2025 season across all competitions. The Spanish giants will kick off their campaign with the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw, where they will face Serie A side Atalanta on Thursday.
Real Madrid’s acquisition of Kylian Mbappe has been the talk of the transfer window, and the French superstar is expected to make his debut in the Super Cup. The club has also strengthened its squad with the signings of Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland, making them the clear favorites for the upcoming season.
The UEFA Super Cup is a curtain-raiser for the European season, pitting the Champions League winners against the Europa League winners. Real Madrid will be aiming to clinch their first silverware of the new campaign and extend their record as the most successful club in the competition’s history.
Last year’s Super Cup was won by Manchester City, who defeated Sevilla on penalties. However, the Champions League holders have historically dominated the competition, with 28 wins out of 48 editions.
Real Madrid will be making their ninth appearance in the Super Cup, equaling Barcelona’s record. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Warsaw, which is the 12th venue to host the event.
The Super Cup is a one-off match, with no extra time. If the game is tied after 90 minutes, it goes straight to a penalty shoot-out. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is the most successful coach in the tournament’s history, having won it five times.