Real Madrid will face Atalanta in this year’s UEFA Super Cup, a contest held between the Champions League and Europa League winners before the new season begins.
Real Madrid secured their spot by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final, while Atalanta earned their place by thrashing Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final.
Here are 10 key facts about the upcoming match:
- Real Madrid is aiming for a record sixth UEFA Super Cup title.
- This will be Madrid’s ninth appearance in the Super Cup, with a record of five wins and three losses.
- The National Stadium in Warsaw will be the 12th venue to host the Super Cup since the fixture moved from its long-term home in Monaco.
- Carlo Ancelotti is currently tied with Pep Guardiola for the most Super Cup victories, with four each.
- Ancelotti is among five men who have won the Super Cup as both player and coach, joining Guardiola, Diego Simeone, Luis Enrique, and Zinédine Zidane.
- The Champions League winners have won 10 of the last 11 Super Cup matches, with Atlético Madrid’s 2018 victory over Real Madrid being the exception.
- Atalanta will be the seventh Italian club to compete in the Super Cup, following AC Milan, Juventus, Sampdoria, Parma, Lazio, and Inter Milan.
- Atalanta is vying to become the 26th team to win the Super Cup and the second consecutive first-time winner, following Manchester City’s victory last year.
- Italian clubs have won nine of their 13 appearances in the Super Cup.
- The UEFA Super Cup does not include extra time; if the match is tied after 90 minutes, it goes directly to a penalty shootout.
