A long-awaited debut in Poland
Real Madrid’s official competition starts this Wednesday, August 14, with an exciting duel against Atalanta de Bergamo, current champions of the Europa League. The match, which will take place in Poland at 21:00, marks the start of the 2024-25 season for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Kylian Mbappé: the star in the spotlight
One of the most intriguing aspects of this match is the expected participation of Kylian Mbappé, who could make his first appearance in the white shirt. Whether he starts as a starter or comes off the bench, the Frenchman is seen as a key player to bolster Madrid’s attack.
Ancelotti’s statements
In the pre-match press conference, Ancelotti expressed his confidence in the quality of the squad, stating that ‘we have the best players and now we have to build with them the best possible team, working daily to make it happen’ .
Worrying casualties
Madrid face the game with some important absences. David Alaba is out for sure, while Eduardo Camavinga could be unavailable. On the other side, Atalanta will also have to do without Gianluca Scamacca and Teun Koopmeiners, both due to injuries.
Transfer rumors surrounding Vinícius
The atmosphere around the game has been altered by speculation about a €1 billion bid from Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli for Vinícius. Ancelotti has tried to downplay those rumours, saying the Brazilian is focused on contributing to the club’s success.
Carvajal’s complaint about the schedule
Another hot topic has been the concern expressed by Dani Carvajal about the density of the calendar. The right-back expressed concern about the difficulty of maintaining optimal performance, noting that the multiple competitions and long journeys are unsustainable in the long term.
The need for reforms
Carvajal concluded that it is essential that the football authorities look into the situation, warning that the excessive load of matches can affect the quality of the game and the welfare of the players.