Click Here To Watch Now Live
The UEFA Super Cup is the annual kickoff of the European club soccer calendar, with the champions of the previous season's Champions League and Europa League meeting to determine the winner of the first available continental silverware of the new campaign.
This year sees Real Madrid head into the Super Cup as two-time defending champion, with crosstown rival Atletico Madrid stepping up as challenger. With the local rivalry providing the backdrop, the 2018 Super Cup has no shortage of storylines as the Madrid clubs clash in Talinn.
Perhaps the biggest storyline of all is the departure of Real Madrid legends Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo — as superstar coach and player, respectively — in a busy offseason. New boss Julen Lopetegui will provide the first glance of what Los Blancos will look like without Zinedane and Ronaldo, while longtime Atletico manager Diego Simeone offers a much more familiar Rojiblancos squad that will aim to claim an early victory over its decorated neighbour.
Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the UEFA Super Cup, with both sides looking looking for a momentum boost ahead of the new La Liga season.
Rob Train (Real Madrid) and Joe Walker (Atletico Madrid) look ahead to the clash in Tallinn, Estonia.
Real start life without Cristiano Ronaldo: How do you see it working out?
Rob Train: So far, so good. Julen Lopetegui has emphasized the team aspect since taking over and although, as Toni Kroos noted, replacing Ronaldo's 50-odd goals a season isn't an easy task that burden will be shared and won't be as much of an issue if Real continue to show signs of tightening up at the back. After a lethargic loss to Manchester United, Madrid dispatched Juve, Roma and Milan with little fuss and the front three of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio will require no time to forge an understanding. Bale has looked particularly sharp and young Vinicius Junior, who adds the unpredictability factor, has displayed flashes of his immense talent.
Ronaldo will certainly be missed. He is a one-of-a-kind player, but Lopetegui's handling of his squad to date shows that there will be life after CR7 and that it may be just as effective as a whole as Ronaldo was as an individual.
Joe Walker: It is certainly going to be strange. Cristiano has been a thorn in Atleti's side throughout the years, so in that sense it will be a welcome relief for Los Colchoneros. He has been so pivotal to Madrid, scoring countless crucial goals. It might take them a while to get used to not having their Portuguese safety blanket and it could well be their undoing on Wednesday, too.
His departure means Gareth Bale will be front and centre and although the Welshman has looked sharp in preseason, there remain many doubts surrounding him in the Spanish capital. The decision to allow the Portuguese to go will be judged on how well Bale does this year.
Who is having the better summer in the transfer market?
RT: As it stands, Atlético. Holding on to Antoine Griezman was a coup in itself and the additions of Rodri, Gelson Martins and Thomas Lemar are an indicator of the club's elevation to the European heavyweight division. Decent squad players have also been added in Santiago Arias and Nikola Kalinic.
Real's summer business has been solid if unspectacular. Alvaro Odriozola is a huge upgrade on Achraf Hakimi and Lopetegui now has two world-class keepers at his disposal after the arrival of Thibaut Courtois. Vinicius also will be afforded his chances to shine after settling in more swiftly than many expected. Florentino Perez has again suppressed his natural urge to sign for the sake of signing. There are still three weeks of the window left and Lopetegui is in the market for a defender,ith Jesus Vallejo not convincing his new coach, and a No. 9 to keep Benzema on his toes. A Galactico probably won't be forthcoming but two experienced reserves in those positions will strengthen Lopetegui's hand considerably.
