The UEFA Super Cup title will be awarded on Wednesday 14 August when Real Madrid face Atalanta at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland.
The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. EST and will air on CBSSN, TUDN and Univision. Fans who want to watch can do so via FuboTV or DirecTV Stream, both of which offer a free trial. SlingTV does not offer a free trial but does have other special offers available.
There is currently a debate over whether French sensation Kylian Mbappé will make his debut for Real Madrid after moving there in the off-season. Madrid finished last season with a UEFA Champions League win and have announced that Mbappé will be in their starting line-up on Wednesday.
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WHO: Real Madrid vs Atalanta
When: Wednesday, August 14, 3 p.m. EST
Where: PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland
Electricity: FuboTV (free trial); DirecTV Stream (free trial); Sling
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Mbappé makes Madrid the clear favorite to defend the Spanish championship title for the first time in 17 years
By TALES AZZONI, AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid was one of the teams to beat in Europe last season, comfortably winning the Spanish league and adding another Champions League trophy to its collection.
And what was already good got even better in the 2024/25 season when French star Kylian Mbappé finally joined the Spanish top team after years of flirting between the two sides.
With the signing of Mbappé, Madrid is the clear favorite and can win two league titles in a row for the first time since 2007/08.
Coach Hansi Flick will make his debut at FC Barcelona, which is still financially troubled, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have brought in Argentine striker Julián Álvarez and Spanish defender Robin Le Normand to strengthen their squad.
The league kicks off on Thursday with Copa del Rey winners Athletic Bilbao taking on Getafe, while Girona – last season’s surprise package after finishing third – visit Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis.
Here’s what to watch in the Spanish league this season:
Mbappé’s Madrid
Mbappé will strengthen Madrid’s attack, which also includes Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, and will also be able to count on young Brazilian sensation Endrick.
Mbappé is likely to start alongside Vinicius as Rodrygo loses his place as a regular starter. Endrick, who is only 18 years old, will likely have to wait a little longer to get into the team.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti cannot count on his veteran Toni Kroos, who retired after last season, but the equally experienced midfielder Luka Modric will stay with the club for what is likely to be his last season.
Ancelotti will continue to count on Jude Bellingham, who returns after a successful first season at Madrid.
Madrid’s success came despite numerous serious injuries to some of its top players, including Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militão and David Alaba, all of whom should be fully fit for the start of the new season.
However, there was an early setback: midfielder Eduardo Camavinga will be out for several weeks due to a knee injury.
The defending champion, who is looking to win his third league title in four seasons, will make his debut in Mallorca on Sunday.
Flick’s Barcelona
The Hansi Flick era in Barcelona begins after the German coach replaced former star coach Xavi Hernández, whose last year at the club was marked by turbulence on and off the pitch.
Flick will not make any major signings for his first season, which begins amid ongoing doubts about the fitness of midfielders Gavi, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
João Félix and João Cancelo are among the players who will not stay in 2024–25.
Barcelona, which finished ten points behind Madrid last season, starts its season in Valencia on Saturday.
New signings at Atletico
Atletico Madrid finished fourth last season, behind Girona, Barcelona and Madrid. Simeone’s team was 19 points behind their city rivals in the table.
However, the club has strengthened its squad with several international players, including Álvarez, Le Normande and Norwegian Alexander Sorloth.
French striker Antoine Griezmann is likely to remain the team’s strongest attacking weapon.
The departures include Stefan Savic, Mario Hermoso, Memphis Depay and the Spanish international Álvaro Morata.
Atletico’s first game is against Villarreal on Monday.
Girona’s losses
Girona made an impressive run to third place last season, securing a place in the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
But it will be difficult for the Catalan club to repeat its success after the departure of several players such as Artem Dovbyk, Aleix Garcia, Savinho, Eric Garcia and Yan Couto.
Miscellaneous
Girona will make their debut against a Real Betis side who are among the other contenders for at least a European place, with Basque rivals Athletic and Real Sociedad also in the group.
Valencia and Villarreal will be looking to build on their good seasons in 2023/24, while Sevilla will be hoping to stay further away from the relegation zone than last season.
Leganes, Valladolid and Espanyol were the three teams that were promoted to the first division.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
