Real Madrid are preparing for their opening match of the 2024-25 season: Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup final against last season's Europa League winners Atalanta. Carlo Ancelotti will have a full quota of players to choose from, David Alaba aside.
The match in Warsaw will be Kylian Mbappe's first as a Real Madrid player. The 25-year-old is the signing of the summer, and while big things are expected of him in the Spanish capital, he may not start against Atalanta.
Ace for AS DiaryAncelotti plans to keep faith with the team that started the Champions League final in June. The only two changes will be enforced: Eder Militao for Nacho Fernandez, and Luka Modric for Toni Kroos.
That would leave Mbappe on the bench, although he could start ahead of Rodrygo Goes in attack. Equally, Ancelotti may decide to go with the expected 4-3-3, with Modric not starting.
Real Madrid will be determined to collect another piece of silverware next week, although it's a match Ancelotti can use for experimentation – it might be necessary, as he hasn't had Mbappe or Jude Bellingham all pre-season .
