'There are no princes or kings' - Carlo Ancelotti on Mbappe

Madrid face their ninth European Super Cup final and hope to win their sixth. Up against them will be Atalanta, the Europa League champions, a tough nut to crack, who will surely make things difficult for them from the outset. It will be a duel of the highest level for the first title of the season.

"The team arrives with all the illusion and all the desire. It's going to be a very demanding season and it can also be very successful. The team is well and motivated to play a good game," Ancelotti said openly in the press room.

In relation to Gasperini, who was Juve's Primavera coach when he was in charge of the first team, the 'Merengue' coach praised his counterpart in the dugout: "He deserves to be here. His work is extraordinary, the team and his coach. Gasperini is a friend. It will be tough.

As for the condition of Mbappe, who joined pre-season on 7th August, Ancelotti was very clear on the matter. "He has arrived well. We haven't had time, but we are very good and he has arrived in good shape. Everyone who is here can play," said the Italian, who made no bones about who would take responsibility for a penalty if it comes to that. "Mbappe is a great penalty taker. Bellingham, Valverde? We have a lot of penalty takers. You have to choose one who starts the game," he said.

On the atmosphere in the dressing room, the Madrid coach was very clear: "Very healthy, very clean. Largely due to the presence of players who are here more like Carvajal, Modric, Kroos, Valverde or others who were here like Nacho or Kroos. There are no princes or kings, there is a group of players who have been able to put their quality at the service of the team. That's the same thing we want to achieve this season".

 

August 13, 2024