Real Madrid is set to face Atalanta in this year’s UEFA Super Cup, a match that pits the Champions League winner against the Europa League champion before the start of the new season. Real Madrid secured their spot by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final, while Atalanta earned their place by overwhelming Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final.
Here are 7 key things to know about the upcoming UEFA Super Cup:
- Real Madrid is aiming to win their sixth UEFA Super Cup, which would set a new record.
- This will be Madrid’s ninth appearance in the Super Cup, with a current record of five wins and three losses.
- The National Stadium in Warsaw will be the 12th venue to host the Super Cup since it moved from its longtime home in Monaco.
- Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s manager, is currently tied with Pep Guardiola for the most Super Cup victories, with four wins each.
- Ancelotti is also one of just five people to have won the Super Cup both as a player and as a coach, alongside Pep Guardiola, Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique, and Zinédine Zidane.
- The Champions League winners have dominated this match, winning 10 of the last 11 Super Cups. The only exception was Atlético Madrid’s victory over Real Madrid in 2018.
- Atalanta is the seventh Italian club to compete in the Super Cup, joining the ranks of AC Milan.