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Published on Aug, 12 2024
This week as major European soccer leagues return, it could be the first chance to see Kylian Mbappe in action for Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup where Los Blancos will face Atalanta on Wednesday, Aug. 14. After signing from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer this summer, Mbappe didn't take part in Real Madrid's preseason tour of the United States but he is training in preparation for the season.
Winners of the Champions League, Real Madrid will meet Europa League winners Atalanta and both sides will look quite different. Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca tore his ACL during a preseason friendly. He'll miss at least six months with the injury now putting more pressure on Ademola Lookman leading the attack.
How to watch and odds
Facing Real Madrid will be quite the test for Gian Piero Gasperini's side ahead of kicking off the Serie A season as they'll see a fearsome Los Blancos attack. Here are a few things to look out for in the match.
Mbappe could make his debut
Real Madrid have an embarrassment of riches in their team as even the players who won't be in the starting XI such as Arda Guler would be the first name on the teamsheet for most clubs around the world. It creates a unique issue for Carlo Ancelotti of how to orient his first team but it's a good issue for managers to have.
Soon we'll find out whose team this is between Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Mbappe, but how the season goes will rest on the coexistence of the trio. Others like Rodrygo and Federico Valverde will have crucial roles in support but Real Madrid will go as far as the big three can take them. Getting things off on the right foot always makes the season easier and there's no better way to start than in the UEFA Super Cup against a strong Atalanta side.
Where Mbappe will actually play is still up in the air as he and Vini Jr. both operate on the left side of the attack but given the flexibility of their styles, that may make Real Madrid even more fearsome. This team has dominated soccer with and without traditional nines and will relish a chance to reinvent their style yet again while sticking at the top of the global game.
Scamacca is irreplaceable, but they'll try
After ending Bayer Leverkusen's quest for a perfect season by capturing the Europa League title, Atalanta were showcasing their status as a club on the rise but this summer has put a dent in that. Gasperini will have his team prepared for the challenge ahead but it's a job that has been made much harder with the Scamacca injury. Charles De Ketelaere joining on a permanent deal will help the attack but a lot of pressure will be on new signing Mateo Retegui to show that he can fill in for Scamacca.
Lookman is coming off the most prolific season of his career with 17 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last season but more will be needed despite not having his partner available. The movement between the duo is one of the things that made Atalanta so dangerous last season and now Gasperini will need to tinker with new ways to get the best out of his attack.
If done well, it's something that can make Atalanta stronger when Scamacca returns but it could also be quite a long season for La Dea. The Super Cup won't answer these questions but it is an event that will offer a first look into two sides looking to make big-time noise.
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