Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid debut was capped off with a sublime finish as the European champions outshined Atlanta, leading to a 2-0 win in the UEFA Super Cup.
This victory meant the Spanish giants go one clear and stay top of Barcelona and AC Milan, who have claimed the annual competition five times.
It was a debut delight for the Frenchman, Kylian Mbappe as he had the last say for the record-time European champions beating Atalanta 2-0 to claim Super Cup number six.
Here are some reactions from this game!
A first half full of attacks that lacked penetration was compensated in the second half. In the 59th minute, Uruguayan Federico Valverde put Real ahead after a Vinicius Jr assist, which was followed by Jude Bellingham’s pass to Mbappe, who fired the ball into the top corner to double the advantage nine minutes later.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti shared his views in the post-match interview. “It was a very difficult game,”
“The second half was much better, we had more space in front and we showed our qualities. In the first half, however, we struggled a lot. Atalanta played really well defensively, and we had difficulty in finding space,” he added.
In just 15 minutes, new joinee, Mbappe, could have opened the scoring, however, the Atalanta defense was just too hard to break at that moment.
Atalanta came all in for their first-ever Super Cup and showed no fear even though they missed striker Gianluca Scamacca and midfielder Teun Koopmeiners.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side grew in confidence midway through the first half, but Marten de Roon’s shot got deflected after striking the bar.
After relentless defending, Atalanta did make time for attacks with Ederson’s long ranger just meters away from target, before Ademola Lookman’s strike forced a save from Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.
In first-half stoppage time, Rodrygo missed an opportunity to hit Vinicius Jr.’s pass against the bar.
Atalanta’s efforts continued even in the second half as Mario Pasalic gave Courtois a scare with a header which was ultimately denied by his fingertips.
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Finally, Valverde converted a precise pass from Vinicius to break the deadlock and give Real the lead.
Real continued to tap on Atlanta’s door through Vinicius always in for the counter-attack, Bellingham missed two good chances before providing Mbappe for Real’s second, cutting the ball back for the Frenchman.
With PSG and Monaco, the 25-year-old won seven Ligue 1 titles but had never previously won a European club competition, was later subbed off a few minutes before the final whistle.
Gasperini said.“Real Madrid are undoubtedly strong. They deserved to win at the end of the game because they opened up, they then had the situations to score an extra goal,”
“As a team we lacked the cynicism of the finals… We had the feeling that with a bit of cynicism, at a certain point, it was even within our reach,” he added.
With the confidence Real Madrid is entering this season, it seems they are again the favourites to grab every silverware out there. Carlo Ancelloti will surely aim to finish his last years on a high solidifying his status as one of the most celebrated managers of all time.
Real begins its La Liga campaign on Sunday with a trip to Copa del Rey finalist Mallorca while Atalanta plays Lecce away for its Serie A season opener on Monday.
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