Real Madrid have the chance to win their first title of the new season on Wednesday evening. Despite Kylian Mbappé’s eagerly awaited debut, coach Carlo Ancelotti is the main admonisher
Wednesday evening will probably be a strange one for Toni Kroos. It will be Real’s first competitive game without the 2014 world champion, who declared his job in Madrid done after winning the Champions League final and ended his career after the European Championships.
Carlo Ancelotti will have to manage without his German conductor. However, the Italian is at least taking a relaxed approach to the clash with Atalanta. “I had 40 days off, which was great,” the Italian explained in the UEFA interview. Ancelotti watched all the games of the European Championship and the Copa America, precisely because soccer is his “great passion”. And yet he says: “I was able to switch off perfectly. “
For the Super Cup final in Warsaw, however, Ancelotti is switching back to competition mode. Because that’s what an opponent like Atalanta requires. “We have great respect for this team. They knocked out top teams like Liverpool in the Europa League and won those games with ease – even the final,” warned the 65-year-old. Leverkusen’s “fate” in Dublin concerns Ancelotti: “Atalanta play in a special and unique way. Leverkusen were therefore unable to play the way they are used to.”
Ancelotti is hoping for a different outcome in front of 56,000 spectators in Warsaw – and can rely on a new “weapon”. Kylian Mbappé is set to make his debut for Real Madrid. “He has great qualities and I’m sure he’ll adapt quickly because of his personality,” said the Whites’ head coach: “We’re sure he’ll do very well. “
All-time record Super Cup winner?
It is possible that his qualities in penalty shoot-outs will also be in demand. After all, there is no extra time in the UEFA Super Cup. Which also brings Thibaut Courtois into play. The Belgian regular keeper for Real promised in advance: “We’ll be ready.”
To break a new record? In the event of a triumph, Real would become the sole record winners of the UEFA Super Cup. The Blancos currently share the top spot with arch-rivals Barcelona and Milan (five each). Courtois, however, puts this thought to one side: “We don’t pay too much attention to records. But if the win means breaking another record, that’s a nice bonus. “
