UEFA SUPER CUP
Mbappé eyes Warsaw debut
Carlo Ancelotti is planning on starting the players who won the Champions League at Wembley with Militao and Modric coming in for Nacho and Kroos.
For Real Madrid, the UEFA Super Cup final which takes place next Wednesday in Warsaw, is much more than a match or a title. It is the chance to start the season off on a positive note and the first instalment in keeping alive the possibility of a historic Septete in the 24/25 season.
The Warsaw game also presents Carlo Ancelotti with the possibility of drawing level with the 14 titles won by Miguel Muñoz.
Ancelotti’s XI for Warsaw
The Italian coach is anxious not to rock the boat in the dressing room and has already warned newcomers (Endrick and Mbappé) of what his team will be, stating: “You have to take into account those players who won the Champions League... It is actually a continuation of last season,” argued the coach ahead of the game, as he did before playing the 2014 Super Cup, a 2-0 win against Sevilla in Cardiff, or more recently in 2022 where his side beat Eintracht Frankfurt (2-0) in Helsinki. This reasoning by the Italian points to Mbappé starting on the bench, although it is certain that the Frenchman will secure playing time in the second half.
Post Wembley
Toni Kroos and Nacho are the missing pieces from the team who recently won the European Cup at Wembley and Nacho’s place will be taken by Millitao, and Kroos’ by Luka Modric. At the age of 38, the Croatian has been one of the standout Real Madrid players from the recent US tour with the Croatian playing a half in the game against Milan, the whole match against Barcelona and 83 minutes in the final match against Chelsea. Only Mario Martín and Lucas Vázquez have played more than the veteran central player with both individuals playing all three matches.
There is apparently only one doubt for the starting eleven that will play in Warsaw next Wednesday and although Camavinga was a starter in London, Tchouameni is also a candidate for that position but was ruled out due to an injury which left the door open for Camavinga.
It’s inevitable that clash against the Serie A side will see plenty of second half switches with key players such as Carvajal, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Mendy, Bellingham and Valverde having only undergone seven days of pre-season work with the team as they prepare for the 2024-25 campaign.