On the evening of August 31, at Monaco's Stade Louis II.
In the European Super Cup, Real Madrid faced Atletico Madrid.
Having not lost to Atletico Madrid for many years, Real Madrid went into the match relatively relaxed.
Ancelotti still lined up in a 4-3-3 Formation. Valdes was in goal, with Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, and Carvajal across the back. The three-man midfield consisted of David Silva, Mascherano, and Modrić, while Hazard, Yang Yang, and Robben formed the attacking trio.
Real Madrid had two obvious changes in this match. One was that the young Carvajal made his first start, and in a match as important as the European Super Cup at that. This was clearly something Ancelotti had considered, because Real Madrid had been playing twice a week over the past two weeks, and the pressure had been immense.
The other was that Modrić started in place of Xabi Alonso, which was also a positive sign that the team intended to strengthen its control of the midfield.
When Real Madrid played Barcelona, there was never any doubt that Real Madrid would control possession. The key was how to turn that possession into goals. Modrić's start represented Real Madrid's intention to play more offensively.
Of course, to some extent, this also meant the defense might become unstable, especially with the young Carvajal starting instead of Azpilicueta.
With Marcelo left out on the left, Real Madrid's attacks from the wings had to come through the right. Carvajal was stronger offensively, and that was the main reason Ancelotti had chosen him.
After the match began, Real Madrid indeed controlled the situation on the field smoothly, just as everyone had expected.
Simeone's Atletico Madrid was not good at possession and had no intention of trying to dominate the ball. Instead, the team played increasingly