Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy – the stadium where the Spanish national team won the 2012 Euro Cup – hosted a match that started as expected. The Whites dominated the first possessions, including good combinations between Vinícius and Mbappé, although they suffered a good warning from the Italians on the counterattack, something that woke up Gasperini’s men.
Atalanta enjoyed more of the ball and the match entered a phase of equality typical of the first minutes. Until Mbappé appeared, about to send his first shot into the net after a pass from Rodrygo. Shortly after, Real Madrid created danger again with the boots of ‘Vini’ first, setting up Bellingham well without success, and then Carvajal, with a tense delivery from the right that found no finisher.
However, the pace, despite the first title of the season being at stake, was very similar to that of any other pre-season match. And this lack of tension in Ancelotti’s men gave them their first big scare, with a ball hitting the crossbar after a cross that tripped up Militao. The Madrid players had to wake up in time if they did not want to have a difficult night in Warsaw.
Ancelotti’s men missed the retired Toni Kroos, who was without that figure who brings meaning, forcing Vinícius to drop back too much, with the Brazilian starting the plays, with worrying misalignments. In addition, Tchouameni was a flan in the pivot, and he was on the verge of causing a clear one-on-one for Lookman with a gross error that was quickly fixed in extremis by a quick Rüdiger.
Despite not having much insight and apparently lacking ideas, Real Madrid had the clearest chance when the first half was dying. Rodrygo sent a powerful left-footed shot into the crossbar inside the area after a low, perpendicular pass from Vinícius from the right. Thus, the 0-0 scoreline did not change as the players headed to the locker room.
And if Real Madrid’s clearest chance came just before half-time, the Italians’ came just a minute into the second half, with a powerful and well-placed header from Pasalic that Thibaut Courtois saved with his palm and stretching to the maximum, reminiscent of the one before the injury. The pace of the match rose in a more broken version, with more comings and goings from both teams, in an offensive chaos in which Real Madrid should reign.
And so it was. Bellingham, the best player in the second half, picked up a rebound in the opponent’s half and passed it to Vinícius on the left. The Brazilian filtered a pass that only Valverde had to push in, while Mbappé attracted all the attention of the Italian defence. Ancelotti’s men struck the first big blow and began to take the lead towards victory, which they could have sealed with the 2-0 thanks to the boots of the Brazilian ‘7’ in a one-on-one that Musso saved with a good save.
Bellingham’s performance, which also had a chance to score the second with a cross from the left, unleashed Real Madrid, who were now more energetic and confident with the wind in their favour. And in their best minutes, the Madrid players put some distance between themselves and Kylian Mbappé, who was somewhat absent in the second half, but who did not fail to keep his goal so that the Whites could win the Super Cup.
With the Frenchman’s first touch, who sent the ball into the top corner after an assist from Vinícius, Atalanta were knocked out with 20 minutes to go. Even so, the Italians took advantage of their chances, although in very few waves that hardly frightened Courtois. ‘Vini’ had some to round off the rout without success, although the victory went to Real Madrid, who are starting the season in the best way.