The UEFA Super Cup, contested between the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League winners, has consistently favored the Champions League champions in recent years. This trend underscores the perceived hierarchy within European club competitions, with the Champions League generally considered the more prestigious and competitive tournament.

 

Over the years, some Europa League winners have dared to defy this routine and one the most recent of this act of bravery was done by Atletico Madrid in 2012 and 2018.While Chelsea’s 2012 Super Cup defeat to Atlético Madrid, fueled by Falcao’s hat-trick, stands as a notable exception, the trend of Champions League winners prevailing in the UEFA Super Cup has persisted. Despite the consistently competitive nature of the fixture, the Champions League champions have consistently emerged victorious in recent years.

Atlanta’s dominant 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023 UEFA Europa League final showcased their impressive form. This triumph came amidst a remarkable season for the German champions, who secured their first-ever Bundesliga title and also lifted the German Cup. However, they were vying for a treble but Atlanta cut that dream short with a hat-trick from Lookman in the UEFA Europa League final to win the trophy for Atlanta. Atlanta pulled the impossible, being the only team that won Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023/24 season.

Real Madrid’s dominance in the 21st century UEFA Champions League is unparalleled. Their 15 titles, a feat unmatched by any other club, solidify their status as a modern-day powerhouse. Their eight Champions League triumphs since 2000 alone surpass the total number of titles won by any other team in the competition’s history, highlighting their remarkable consistency and success. Real Madrid’s five UEFA Super Cup titles place them alongside Barcelona and AC Milan as joint-holders of the most victories in the competition. They will now face Atlanta in the upcoming Super Cup, aiming to add another trophy to their impressive collection.

Real Madrid has had a significant upgrade to the team that won the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund. Despite the departures of key players like Kroos and Nacho, Real Madrid’s arrival of Kylian Mbappé and Endrick has injected significant firepower into their attack. These additions address a crucial need for a central striker, providing a much-needed boost to their offensive capabilities. With this reinforcement, Real Madrid are confident in their pursuit of a sixth UEFA Super Cup title.

 

Atlanta will undoubtedly draw inspiration from Atlético Madrid’s success in the UEFA Super Cup, having won the trophy twice despite never lifting the Champions League trophy. Their achievement of winning both the Europa League and Super Cup in recent times serves as a testament to their ability to compete at the highest level. However, Atlanta will need to overcome a significant hurdle as Real Madrid boasts an impressive record of never losing a final in recent years. Atlanta’s pursuit of the UEFA Super Cup trophy will require a collective effort from the coaching staff and the entire team. They face a formidable opponent in Real Madrid, who are widely considered the favorites. A significant challenge awaits, demanding exceptional performance and strategic brilliance to overcome the odds.

 

With what Atlanta was able to achieve last season, they are tipped to continue at such level to achieve another great height which is winning Real Madrid at a final. Real Madrid on the other hand should work hard as well seeing what this team has been able to accomplish and be ready for them to avoid surprises.

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