Real Madrid secured their sixth UEFA Super Cup title on Wednesday, defeating Atalanta 2-0 in Warsaw. It was not only a historic right for the club as the success secured their status as the most successful club in the competition’s history, it was also particularly special for Carlo Ancelotti.
As well as winning his fifth UEFA Super Cup (the most as a manager, one more than Pep Guardiola), Ancelotti secured his 14th title as Real Madrid head coach, which now has him level with the iconic Miguel Munoz as the most successful manager in the club’s history in terms of trophies won. Speaking post-match to Movistar+ (via Diario AS), he expressed his pride at that feat.
“It is an honour and a privilege to live these nights here – we were suffering, fighting and winning too.”
On the match itself, Ancelotti admitted that his side struggled in the opening 45 minutes.
“We suffered a bit in the first half, because Atalanta pressed a lot and play very well defensively. They won more duels than us and we had more difficulties. The game opened up a bit in the second half, they felt tired and we had more space. With that space, Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe are very dangerous.”
Ancelotti spoke specifically on Kylian Mbappe, who marked his Real Madrid debut with the second goal against Atalanta.
“He has the quality to score a lot of goals, more than 50. We have to look for the balance of the team and today we had it, although in the first half the game was difficult. But the team played a great game defensively.”
Real Madrid now turn their attention to the opening match of their 2024-25 La Liga campaign. Ancelotti and his players head to Son Moix on Sunday, where they will take on Mallorca.
