Matias Vulej, Aug 24th 2010

The reining champions of the two most competitive tournaments of Europe will be taking on each other to claim world's most coveted title.

Atletico Madrid and Internazionale have both shown a hunger for glory without limits, conquering Europa League and Champion League's titles respectively. Rafael Benitez will have a tough debut match as Internazionale's coach, but nevertheless he's confident on the all-around strength of his squad. Named the best player in South Africa's World Cup, Diego Forlan will be looking forward to surprise everyone and lead the offense of a team on an upward curve.

Inter's Capitano, Javier Zanetti is anxious about this clash. "I've never had the opportunity to win the Super Cup, so of course I am eager to win against Atletico. This will be the first time I have played in this match, so I really want to do well" were his words. Zanetti has returned to Argentina's list for International matches after Diego Maradona ignored him for South Africa. Esteban Cambiasso is at the same situation, and the defensive prowess of these two Argentineans will be decisive to stop Atletico's offense. Inter has won every possible title in the last season and this is the last trophy they're lacking in their show case.

 

Victory 3-1 over Rome last week fed the players with an uncanny energy, as Jose Mourinho's departure could hardly be felt thanks to Benitez's solid strategy. Five years ago Benitez claimed the title with FC Liverpool, and there won't be a better welcome gift than the Super Cup. 

 

"To repeat such a successful season as last year is always difficult, but we will do everything we can to be competitive until the end. It will be tough because many other teams will want to beat us as we are European champions, but we have to rise to the challenge and I know we will." Inter captain's repeated. Without Mario Balotelli (Sold to Manchester City for millions), Wesley Sneijder will probably play a key role as a play maker, after a successful world championship with Neatherlands. 

"We'll need to a perfect match to defeat Inter" were Atletico's winger Filipe Luis' words regarding this match. Atletico is known by the strength and speed of its offense but has always had trouble keeping its rivals from scoring. Team's acquisitions during the summer were meant to solve this problem, and the first real test will take place at the Super Cup final. 

 

Atletico's coach Quique Sanchez Flores has done an excellent work preparing his team for this match. FC Barcelona is the current holder of the title, but the Neroazzurri managed to eliminate the Cule from the competition. Only four Spaniard teams ever managed to lift this title: Valencia, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Sevilla. 

 

Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan are two of the deadliest strikers in Europe nowadays. The Uruguayan is looking forward to close an excellent year after the unexpected performance in South Africa that granted him the Ballon D'or. Aguero didn't have many opportunities in Maradona's squad, but the few minutes he was on the fields he's shown he remains fully fit. 

 

There has never been a final in which an Italian squad took part and couldn't keep the title for themselves. At the same time, no coach has ever won the competition managing two different teams. But rules are there to be broken, and on Friday night we might witness a clash of giants on French ground. Who will lift the Super Cup?