Having lifted their 15th UCL title last season, Real Madrid are privileged enough to stand a chance of winning their first trophy in the first game of their new season.
Later this week, Los Blancos will take on Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, officially kick-starting their new campaign.
Needless to say, there is serious suspense and excitement around the fixture, especially how Carlo Ancelotti will line up his troops.
The practice game
As revealed in a recent update via MARCA, the Italian tactician oversaw a full-pitch training game earlier today as part of the buildup to the UEFA Super Cup.
He fielded two full-strength XIs for the aforementioned game and his selections provide insights into what his starting lineup could be later this week.
The first team included Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Jacobo Ramon and Ferland Mendy in defence, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchoaumeni, Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos in midfield with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr in the final third.
The second team comprised Lucas Vazquez, Eder Militao, Jesus Vallejo, Fran García in defence, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham in midfield with Rodrygo, Endrick and Brahim as the attackers.
Prima facie, it is clear that both lineups have certain departments complete with starters while others are filled with backup names.
Ancelotti’s lineup on Wednesday, thus, could feature the midfield of the second team (Valverde, Camavinga and Bellingham) feature with the attack of the first (Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe). The third name in attack is unclear but Rodrygo is well placed on that front.
The defence, meanwhile, will almost certainly see the pairing of Rudiger and Militao alongside the first-choice fullbacks Carvajal and Mendy. Thibaut Courtois will be the undisputed starter in goal.
Notably, however, Ancelotti is likely to bench Tchouameni for the big game if the lineups are anything to go by.
After all, he missed the UCL final and the manager has a tradition of sticking to the finale-winning lineup as far as possible.