Atalanta will be looking to make history against a powerful Real Madrid squad in the fight for the European Super Cup.
Real Madrid and Atalanta will play for the European Super Cup on Wednesday 14 August and the ‘Merengues’ are the clear favourites to be crowned champions, boasting one of the most powerful squads in the world.
The two teams will meet in the European Super Cup after Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final while the Serie A side won the Europa League, defeating Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen.
Regarding the Super Cup match against Atalanta, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed his respect for the work that the Italian team has done in recent seasons and considered that it will be a very difficult match for his team.
Real Madrid and Atalanta will battle it out for the European Super Cup on Wednesday, August 14. Tullio Puglia – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
“It’s going to be difficult, as always, because it’s the beginning of the season. But we’re going with all the confidence and conviction, taking into account all the difficulties. I think Atalanta deserve to be there, because they’ve had an incredible campaign in the Europa League, eliminating top teams like Liverpool. They were able to win those kinds of games easily, even the final. So we have a lot of respect for this team. But we hope to be in our best form,” Ancelotti told UEFA’s official website.
For his part, Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta coach, acknowledged that Madrid is the favourite to win the Super Cup, but indicated that facing the ‘Merengues’ for a title is a historic situation for the team and they will try to give their fans great joy.
“It will be an extraordinary occasion for Atalanta, for Bergamo, for the history of the place. We will play against the most successful club in the world, against the team that has won the most times in the world. Playing a final like this, for this trophy, against such an important club, would have been unthinkable until recently. There is an enormous feeling of pride. It is a truly inspiring moment for all of Bergamo, for all the fans. There is no doubt that it is a high point, perhaps the highest in the history of Atalanta,” said the coach in an interview with UEFA.
What time is the European Super Cup match?
Real Madrid and Atalanta will battle for the European Super Cup next Wednesday, August 14 at 1:00 pm in Mexico City (12:00 pm PT | 3:00 pm ET).