New signings Kylian Mbappe and Endrick have joined a formidable Real Madrid attack that already includes Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Arda Guler
WARSAW, Poland – Kylian Mbappe. Vinícius Junior. Endrick. Jude Bellingham. Rodrygo. Arda Guler.
Real Madrid have a host of world-class attackers at their disposal for the club’s first competitive game of the 2024-25 season.
And Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperino wants everyone to play against his team in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
“You don’t know who to expect not to play,” Gasperini said on Tuesday, shortly after arriving at Warsaw’s National Stadium where the match will be played.
“So I hope they pick their best team because you can only produce your best when you face the best opponent.”
Mbappé is the biggest attraction after finally joining Real Madrid after a long saga with his former club Paris Saint-Germain. He was introduced to the club’s fans at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last month after playing in the European Championship for France, but was not part of the squad on the tour of the United States.
He began training with Real Madrid last week and is expected to play for the 15-time European champions against Atalanta.
The Italian team will start as underdogs, as they were before defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final to win the club’s first European title and first trophy in 61 years.
“We arrived without the usual feel-good factor,” Gasperini said through a translator, “and with our usual desire to shock and surprise.”
The Super Cup is an annual match between the winners of last season’s Champions League and Europa League.
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