Wednesday 15th August 1945hrs Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid Football – Europe – European Super Cup The European Super Cup is contested between the winners of the previous season’s Champions League and victors in the Europa League, however this year you could be forgiven for thinking it was a fixture in the Copa Del Rey or La Liga. Spanish football’s domination of European competition continued last season as the two top teams from the nation’s capital strolled to success in their respective tournaments. They were both distant to Barcelona in the race for the league and will hope to do better this time around but it will be all about trying to get the first piece of silverware secured on Wednesday. Match preview for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid, as well as a selection of the best betting tip, below.
There has been two massive changes at Real Madrid since they last played a competitive game until now. It’s only three short months since Real were hoisting the Champions League trophy aloft in Kiev having defeated Liverpool 3-1, but they are now without two mainstays of their recent success – one on the pitch and one off it. Zinedine Zidane opted to step down as head coach having won three consecutive Champions Leagues in his time in charge, being replaced by former Spanish coach Julen Lopetgui, and Cristiano Ronaldo was moved on to Juventus having spent the best part of a decade at the Bernabeu – breaking all sorts of records. A number of other key players have been linked with moves away this summer and it’s not altogether surprising as the club continue a transition from moving on some of the older players and placing faith in younger personnel. It’s arguably one of the main reasons the new coach is who he is having worked all the way up from the Spanish national team’s youth ranks. That said, it’s still Real Madrid and transition or not, they will be expecting to challenge for and win trophies again this year.
Atletico Madrid have reached two Champions League finals in recent times – losing both to their arch rivals and opponents on Wednesday. So it’s something of a surprise that they found themselves relegated, essentially, to the lesser European competition post-Christmas last season. A disappointing group stage campaign in the Champions League, where Roma and Chelsea finished above them, meant they had to settle for the Europa League but they certainly made it worth their while by going all the way and securing the trophy they won back in 2012. It capped off what was a pretty good campaign all in having finished second to Barcelona and made the move into their wonderful new stadium a successful one. Diego Simeone has been the most important person at the club since his arrival and despite being linked with moves away to join other clubs he has remained and looks to be building a squad that he hopes will challenge for La Liga and the Champions League once again. Several of the veteran players have been moved on over the summer and some exciting young talent drafted in with a view to the future, but also the here and now. One thing that won’t change is the intensity and desire that Simeone has implemented among the players.
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid Betting Tip
It may be seen as the least important trophy that these two clubs will be competing for this season but the fact it is these two competing against each other will ensure this is plenty competitive. Real Madrid have won the last two and just as they were in May for the Champions League, will be going for an unprecedented hat trick. Atletico also have fond memories as they have won it both times they have featured, in 2010 and 2012. Wednesday’s match also represents something of a new beginning for both Madrid clubs, more so for Real who have waved goodbye to their coach and one of their best ever players over the last couple of months.
There is rarely much between these two clubs and a draw is certainly not out of the question. They’ll get their league campaigns underway at the weekend and that is undoubtedly their main concern but I fancy that Simeone will have the upper hand in this particular match. Real are definitely in an adjustment period and Atleti can take advantage of that. They do not really know how to do anything but play at a high intensity and that may be the difference in what is anticipated to be a tight encounter.
Selection Atletico Madrid 52/25 @ Marathon Bet
