Real Madrid began the 2024/25 season in the best possible manner as they defeated Atalanta 2-0 to lift the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw on Wednesday night.
Competing for as many as seven trophies this season, Los Blancos got the first one in the bag as second-half goals from Federico Valverde and new signing Kylian Mbappe sealed the deal.
The victory also meant that Carlo Ancelotti is now the joint most successful Real Madrid manager along with Miguel Munoz, having won 14 titles at the club.
Speaking after the game, the Italian tactician addressed his historic achievement, saying: "It is an honour and a privilege to live these nights here. Suffering, fighting and winning too."
"I am very happy. It’s an honour to coach this team. We have done well. Atalanta have played very well. They were very strong in the duels. When the game opened up a bit we were able to show the quality. It was not an easy match. Atalanta played very well."
Los Merengues had some trouble getting going in the first period but stepped it up after the half-time break as Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Mbappe all turned on the heat.
"We suffered a bit in the first half, because Atalanta pressed a lot and played very well defensively. In the second half the game opened up a bit, they felt tired and we had more space," said Ancelotti, summarising the game.
"In the first half, they won more duels than us and we had more difficulties. With space, Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe are very dangerous."
The manager also reserved praise for Bellingham, who won the MotM award on the night, saying: "He played a very good second half."
There was also a lot of praise for Mbappe, with Ancelotti responding in the affirmative when asked whether the French superstar could score 50 goals in a season at Real Madrid.
"He has the quality to score a lot of goals. We have to look for the balance of the team and today we had it, even if in the first half the game was spectacular. But the team played a great game defensively," he said.
" Mbappe has enormous quality. He worked well. He combined, he worked defensively. Like the team, they weren’t good in the first half. When a game opens up and we have more space, it’s easier for us," Ancelotti added.
"Vini has contributed a lot, everybody. Bellingham, Rodrygo. In the second half we played very well."
When asked if he sees this Real Madrid attack on the same level as the iconic BBC trio of Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Ancelotti remarked:
"We talked about it yesterday, we tried to compare this team with the 2014 team and it’s very complicated. In 2014 the team was fantastic. With Bale, Benzema and Cristiano it was exceptional. The quality doesn’t change in this team. We had it then and we have it now."
On being asked if there is anything missing from this Real Madrid team to see them perform at 100%, Ancelotti replied:
"The players who arrived a week ago arrived in good shape. I’m grateful for that. Nothing is missing. We have to work, fight and compete every game."
This was Real Madrid’s first official game after the retirement of the legendary Toni Kroos. And Ancelotti insisted that he was pleased with what he saw from the new midfield trio of Valverde, Bellingham, and Aurelien Tchouameni.
"Tchouameni, Valverde and Bellingham had a good game. There were a lot of duels and we thought we’d play more vertically and it didn’t work out well in the first half," he remarked.
"But in the second half, with more space, we had more options. I think the three of them played very well defensively, providing balance at the back."
Ancelotti also provided an update on the condition of David Alaba, who is recovering from an ACL injury he sustained last season.
"He is progressing well, working on an individual level. We need to take it easy, because it has been quite a serious injury. We think he will start running these days," confirmed the Real Madrid boss.
Speaking about Eduardo Camavinga, who injured his knee a day before the Super Cup clash, Ancelotti added:
"I had a doubt and unfortunately he got injured. We hope he recovers quickly. He had the chance to play, but unfortunately he got injured…."