The 2022 UEFA Super Cup sees this season's European action move up a gear. The match, which pits last term's UEFA Champions League and Europa League winners head-to-head, sees Real Madrid take on Eintracht Frankfurt at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki. Real Madrid will be looking to equal the record for UEFA Super Cup victories with a win today. This would represent Madrid's fifth all-time triumph in the European showpiece match, levelling the current mark held by arch-rivals Barcelona and Italian giants AC Milan. Madrid won the domestic and European double last season, claiming the La Liga crown by a comfortable 13-point margin from Barca. Eintracht Frankfurt, though, will be looking to spoil their party as they did to other heavyweights in their run to the Europa League final last season.
The Bundesliga outfit beat Barca, along with Premier League West Ham and Scottish club Rangers, on their way to lifting the trophy. They succeeded in European competition despite struggling in the Bundesliga, where they finished in 11th place. A heavy 6-1 loss in their domestic league opener to Bayern Munich last weekend does not bode well for Eintracht supporters, but they will be hoping their team can continue to flip the switch on the continental scene. Carlo Ancelotti has developed a consistent starting lineup at Real Madrid over the last year, and it's unlikely that will change for this match. Karim Benzema missed the first few preseason matches due to an extended summer vacation, but he is back and ready to lead the line. Despite the arrival of Aurelien Tchouameni for big money, the defensive midfield spot is Casemiro's to lose at this point, while Tchouameni will likely get opportunities to impress off the bench. Up front, it's Federico Valverde will get the start on the right wing as he has in preseason and late last year, although Marco Asensio has played well in the tune-up matches and could push for time on that flank. Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy Modric, Casemiro, Kroos Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr. Real Madrid subs (12): Lunin (GK), Nacho, Rudiger, Vallejo, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Camavinga, Vazquez, Hazard, Asensio, Rodrygo, Mariano. The biggest question for Eintracht Frankfurt this week has been the status of playmaker Filip Kostic, who was instrumental to last season's European success. He has been heavily linked with a transfer to Italian side Juventus, with reports a deal has been agreed. As such, he does not appear in the Frankfurt squad. Kostic is replaced by German midfielder Christopher Lenz, with young winger Faride Alidou, a 21-year-old Germany youth international who joined this pre-season after the expiration of his Hamburg contract, on the bench ready to impress. Hoping to take over the playmaking reigns long-term from Kostic is new Frankfurt addition Mario Gotze. The former Germany World Cup hero who joined during the current transfer window from Dutch side PSV, where he spent the last two seasons reigniting his career. However, despite starting the loss to Bayern on the weekend, Gotze begins this match on the bench, replaced by Japan international Daichi Kamada. Look for 23-year-old Randal Kolo Muani to make an impact off the bench if starting striker Rafael Borre is struggling. The versatile French youth international was one of the few bright spots for Eintracht Frankfurt this past weekend in the 6-1 drubbing by Bayern Munich scoring their only goal.
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