Kylian Mbappe has shown “extraordinary quality” in training and could make his Real Madrid debut against Atalanta in Wednesday’s Uefa Super Cup 2024 match, manager Carlo Ancelotti has said.
France captain Mbappe joined the reigning Spanish champions in July following his Paris St-Germain exit and is poised to play for them for the first time at the Warsaw National Stadium (8pm BST).
“We haven’t had much time to train but we are doing very well and so is Kylian,” said Ancelotti.
“He has arrived in good shape and is adapting very well. Everyone who is here can play tomorrow.
“He is focused on training, motivated and [working] well. He is showing extraordinary quality.”
🔜 ⚽️ 🏟️@adidasfootball | #SuperCup pic.twitter.com/mp4VWvsDJG
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 13, 2024
Super Cup: Madrid ‘different’
Ancelotti said Eduardo Camavinga – who is out injured – and Federico Valverde would be key players in the absence of midfield schemer Toni Kroos, who retired at the end of last season.
“Toni was a fantastic player, but he decided to leave and we respect his decision,” said the Italian.
“It will be very difficult to replace him… it will be different from a tactical point of view because our style has to adapt to the characteristics of the players we have. If we have a player other than Kroos, we will play a different football.”
🛬 Warsaw, we’re here!#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/dlFedJ41Qt
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) August 13, 2024
Atalanta: Ancelotti wary
Atalanta face Madrid as the winners of last season’s Europa League, beating German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the final.
The Serie A side’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, was a youth team coach at Juventus while Ancelotti was manager of the club between 1999 and 2001.
“Gasperini is a very experienced coach – he is a friend,” said Ancelotti, calling Atalanta’s triumph “great work”.
“I have a very good relationship with him. Tomorrow is going to be a difficult match.”
