Poland is set to host the UEFA Super Cup clash between Real Madrid and the Europa League winners, Atalanta.
Ancelotti tried various combinations during the pre-season and now the time for experimenting may be over as the season kicks off with this fixture.
Kylian Mbappe is expected to make his anticipated debut in the Real Madrid jersey, while players such as Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are also in line to make a start.
Eduardo Camavinga suffered an internal collateral ligament on eve of the game in the final training session and as a result, is ruled out for the next 6-7 weeks.
Here is the expected lineup for the match against Atalanta:
GK: Thibaut Courtois
The Belgian had an impressive pre-season, making some great saves and proving why he is regarding as one of the best in the world. He ended last season on a high and will look to begin the new season on a high as well.
RB: Dani Carvajal
After perhaps one of the best seasons any player can have by winning three trophies with the club and the Euros with Spain, Carvajal begins yet another season in the prestigious white jersey and will look replicate his performance from the last season.
CB: Antonio Rüdiger
The German is the mainstay in the backline and he will have a crucial role to play as the squad is already thin on centre-backs. Last season was a similar story and the 31-year old remained unaffected by putting in solid performances week in week out.
CB: Éder Militão
This will be the Brazilian’s first start for Real Madrid in almost a year and he will look to prove a point as him and Rüdiger will be leading the backline for the season. The 26-year-old returned for the final few matches last season but the performances were below average and that’s something he would look to change.
LB: Ferland Mendy
Regarded as one of the best defensive left-backs in the world by Carlo Ancelotti, Mendy kicks off another season with Real Madrid. The Frenchman has proven to be perhaps the most underrated player in the squad as his displays go unnoticed sometimes, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most important links in the team’s backline.
CM: Fede Valverde
Following his idol Toni Kroos’ departure from the club, the Uruguayan is officially named as the 4th captain of the club. Last season Valverde featured in almost every game, signifying his importance and he repaid the trust by scoring goals in crucial moments, such as the equaliser against Manchester City in the first leg.
The ambitions remain the same for the youngster but now with a burden on his shoulders as one of the club captains.
CDM: Aurelien Tchouaméni
The Frenchman not only played as a defensive midfielder last season, but slotted in as Rüdiger’s partner in the backline in a handful of games. With the squad thin on defenders, the 24-year old may have to feature as a centre-back again this season.
But for now, he will start the game in his natural position and would want to continue to prove why he should be regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe.
CM: Jude Bellingham
Following a Ballon d’Or worthy campaign, the Englishman begins his second season with the Merengues, but this time at a rather different position.
Last season, the youngster had more of an attacking role and played as a number 10 and even false 9 at times. But that has changed after the arrival of Mbappe. However, Jude will not be unfamiliar playing as a number 8 as he has done so with Dortmund. Hopefully – new season, same old Jude Bellingham.
RW: Rodrygo
This position in particular may be contested as Arda Güler is also vying for this spot. But for now, the Brazilian is preferred over the Turk. The 23-year old had a decent last season, scoring goals at crucial stages but also went through a goal drought during the season. Carlo Ancelotti trusts him and the Brazilian will look to repay that trust by being involved on the attacking front.
ST: Kylian Mbappe
The Frenchman will be making his first start for Madrid and potentially win a trophy in his very first game. Mbappe is arguably one of the best players on the planet and this season he would be eager to prove why Florentino Perez wanted to secure his signature for that many years.
LW: Vinícius Júnior
This particular Brazilian yet again had an outstanding last season and is also a Ballon D’or contender alongside teammate, Jude Bellingham. It’s a new season but the ambition for Vini would be the same – score goals and win trophies.
Vini and Mbappe make one of the deadliest attacking partnerships, at least on paper, and the match tonight can provide an opportunity for everyone to see how they perform.
