UEFA Super Cup: Madrid favourites as Frankfurt look to upset the odd

Europe’s top leagues started last weekend, and since then, football lovers have been treated to some of the finest goals, celebrations and results across board. However, later tonight, we will be served our first taste of European football action when Spanish and UEFA Champions league chiefs, Real Madrid take on German side Eintracht Frankfurt, winners of last year’s Europa league in the customary UEFA Super cup.

Although, the Spanish side will be fancied as favourites going into the tie, results in previous years have shown that in such match, pedigree and form book could easily fly out of the window.

Frankfurt’s coach, Oliver Glasner in the early hours said his team would have to be special in order to keep Karim Benzema and co at bay. In his words;

“If we have to play against Real, we need a special defence, especially [against] Benzema, who was the best scorer in the Champions League, really great in box, but it’s important that the players who give him passes, whoever plays, that we prevent the players passing into the box because it will always be very difficult to defend Benzema”

Perhaps Oliver is right with his assertion, and in the event that Madrid fail to turn up, they might get punished, considering how good the German side could be on their day.

That said, below are a few things to expect when the two sides clash later tonight…

• The match is expected to take place at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium and to be officiated by England’s Michael Oliver.

• Heading into this year’s Edition of the Super Cup, the Spanish side have previously won the trophy four times, while their opponents are gunning for their first.

• Frankfurt, who will be without the services of the departing Kostic are underdogs going into the affair, but with Mario Gotze and Rafael Borre spearheading the attack, the German could well fancy their chances.