In under 12 hours, Real Madrid will play their final pre-season friendly of the summer as they take on Chelsea in Charlotte.
It will be the final match for Carlo Ancelotti & co. before they start their season in a little over a week when they take on Italian outfit Atalanta BC in the UEFA Super Cup.
Ahead of the clash against Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, Real Madrid boss Ancelotti sat down for a candid interview with UEFA.tv, during which he discussed Atalanta and the Super Cup match, and his squad, among other things.
On Atalanta and Super Cup
Giving Atalanta their flowers for an impressive UEFA Europa League campaign last season, Ancelotti insisted that the Super Cup clash will be anything but straightforward for his Real Madrid side.
“The Super Cup? It will be complicated, as always, because it is the beginning of the season, but we are going with all the confidence and conviction, taking into account all the challenges that await us,” he said.
“I think Atalanta deserve to be there because they had an incredible campaign in the Europa League, eliminating top teams like Liverpool. They have been able to win those types of matches with ease, even the final. So we respect this team a lot, but we hope to be at our best.”
Further heaping praise on Atalanta’s performance last season, he added: “I don’t think anyone expected Atalanta to beat Leverkusen with such comfort in the Europa League final. As I said, Atalanta have had an incredible season.
“They are a very dangerous team that play in a special and unique way. Leverkusen were not able to play as they were used to due to the enormous effort made by the Atalanta players.”
Ancelotti also praised his compatriot and Atalanta counterpart Gasperini for the work he had done with La Dea, saying:
“Gasperini and I have a great relationship. We are friends. Our relationship started at Juventus. Atalanta play consistently in Europe thanks to Gasperini, and since he arrived, the team has been doing very well in Italy as well.
“Some excellent and important players have emerged from the team. So, he has done an amazing job, and he continues to do so.”
On his squad
Moving on from that topic, Ancelotti was asked about Real Madrid’s latest marquee signing in Kylian Mbappe, who will begin training tomorrow and make his debut in the Super Cup clash.
“Everyone at Real Madrid is very happy that Mbappe is here: the fans, the club, the players, the teammates, the coach. We are sure that he will do very well,” said Ancelotti.
“Mbappe will contribute with his quality, his attitude and his dedication. He would have to adapt to this team, like everyone else. We are very happy that he is here because he has great qualities and, I am sure that, given his personality, he will adapt quickly.”
There were also words of praise for youngsters Endrick and Arda Guler, who might miss the Chelsea game due to some discomfort.
“Endrick and Guler? I really like working with them because they learn very fast, they pay attention to advice and instructions, they want to grow and improve,” said Ancelotti.
Praising the level of quality in this Real Madrid side, he added: “It is amazing that Vinícius, Rodrygo, Bellingham and Camavinga are no longer considered young players. We have a young team with a lot of future.”