2022 UEFA Super Cup: predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt face-off on Wednesday.

The 2022 UEFA Super Cup is set to take place on 10 August 2022 at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Last season’s Champions League winners Real Madrid and 2021-22 Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt take on each other in hope of lifting the Super Cup title at the end.

This will be the 47th edition of the UEFA Super Cup. The 2022 Super Cup final is a repetition of the 1960 European Cup Final between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. The Spanish giants Real Madrid won that match 7-3.

Real Madrid head into the tie as clear favourites and they have strengthened their side this summer. Highly rated French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has joined the club from AS Monaco. Frankfurt have also made some exciting signings, Mario Gotze, Hrvoje Smolcic and Randal Kolo Muani have joined the club. But, star winger Filip Kostić looks set to leave and join Juventus in the next few days.

Pre-match comments

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid head coach in his pre-macth press conference:

"Last year Eintracht achieved something special because they weren't among the favourites. They played great games, winning against Barcelona at Camp Nou by playing a counter-attacking style of football. They're a team that will definitely cause problems. Thanks to the strengths we both have, it will be a very good game."

Oliver Glasner, Frankfurt coach:

"We're all very much looking forward to facing them. I don't see it as a head-to-head with Carlo Ancelotti, but rather with Real Madrid, one of the greatest and most illustrious clubs in the history of football. We want to prepare so that we have every chance of winning the match."

Injury News

Dani Carvajal made his return from an ankle injury in the pre-season friendly against Juventus on 31st July and looks ready to feature in the Super Cup final. Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed in his pre-season press conference that the rest of the squad is fully fit.

For Frankfurt, centre-half Jérôme Onguéné is a major doubt for the clash due to thigh muscle strain. While right-back Aurélio Buta is ruled out of the clash due to a knee injury. The defender is expected to return in September 2022.

Head-to-Head

This will be the sides' first competitive meeting since the 1960 European Cup final at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Real Madrid won that high-scoring clash 7-3. Richard Kress scored the first goal of the tie and put Frankfurt in front briefly. Erwin Stein scored twice in the second half. But, Alfredo Di Stéfano scored three goals and Ferenc Puskás scored four for Real Madrid.

Players To Watch

Vinicius jr (Real Madrid)

Vinicius was on top form last season and was one of the standout performers in the team. He scored the only goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool. The Brazilian recorded a total of 22 goals and 20 assists across all competitions.

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Benzema had a really successful 2021-22 season. He made his return to the French national team, won the UEFA Conference League and also led his side to a league and Champions League double. Karim Benzema recorded 44 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances last season. The French striker has also been handed the Real Madrid captain's armband this summer.

Filip Kostić (Eintracht Frankfurt)

The Eintracht Frankfurt star has been linked with a switch to Juventus in the past few days and an exit seems imminent. But, the German outfit will like to keep hold of their star winger until the Super Cup final. Kostic was on top form against Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League last season and he could play a key role in the clash against Real Madrid.

Rafael Santos Borré (Eintracht Frankfurt)

The Colombian striker joined the German outfit on a free transfer last summer from Argentinian side River Plate. Borre made a total of 45 appearances last season and recorded 15 goals and eight assists across all competitions. The Colombian is set to play a big role in Frankfurt's upcoming campaign.

Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid predicted lineup:

Thibaut Courtois; Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy; Casemiro, Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos; Federico Valverde, Vinicius jr, Karim Benzema

Eintracht Frankfurt predicted lineup:

Kevin Trapp; Almamy Touré, Tuta, Evan N'Dicka; Ansgar Knauff, Djibril Sow, Sebastian Rode, Filip Kostić; Daichi Kamada, Mario Götze; Rafael Santos Borré

2022 UEFA Super Cup Prediction

Frankfurt lost their opening game of the Bundesliga season 6-1 against Bayern Munich. Despite their impressive Europa League victory last season, Frankfurt only managed to finish 11th in the league. Real Madrid are clear favourites going into the clash and have too much firepower for the German outfit to handle.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt