Real Madrid fans should finally get a glimpse of Kylian Mbappe in action on Wednesday, when the French forward is expected to make his debut for Los Blancos against Atalanta BC in the UEFA Super Cup.
The former Paris Saint-Germain attacker was not involved in Real's pre-season tour of the USA due to his Euro 2024 exploits, but Carlo Ancelotti and co are now putting him through his paces on the training pitches following his well-earned rest.
The Blancos boss has already suggested that Mbappe will be in the starting lineup for the continental curtain-raiser in Warsaw, meaning that a shift to a 4-3-3 from last season's 4-3-1-2 should be in order.
Brazilian duo Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior should complete a ferocious front three with Mbappe, despite both men's futures being called into question following his arrival; Vinicius has reportedly rejected an offer from the Saudi Pro League.
With Toni Kroos long gone, Jude Bellingham could drop into a slightly deeper position in midfield alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, with Luka Modric and Arda Guler ready and waiting to come off the bench; Eduardo Camavinga suffered a knock in training and is a slight doubt.
David Alaba has not yet recovered from his ACL injury, but the Austrian should be the Champions League winners' only absentee this week, and Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao are rather good centre-back options either way.
The pair will no doubt protect Thibaut Courtois, who was snubbed for a Euro 2024 Belgium call-up, as Ferland Mendy and continental champion Dani Carvajal complete a full-strength team.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Ben Knapton
