“Magical night” for Mbappé Real Madrid hints at what Europe has to fear
15.08.2024, 06:48
And yet another title for Real Madrid. On Kylian Mbappé’s debut, the Royal team won the European Super Cup and are now record champions in this competition. For the new superstar from France, the first night was “magical”.
On Wednesday evening, the European football elite got a small taste of what is in store for them this season. At least when they face Real Madrid as their opponent. The team has lost one of the biggest giants in the club’s history in the form of the indispensable strategist Toni Kroos. The DFB star has ended his career and slammed every back door. But a new giant has been signed in the form of Kylian Mbappé. The striker plays very differently to Kroos, but also brings a maximum of top class. He made his first appearance in the European Supercup in Warsaw against Europa League winners Atalanta Bergamo and scored his first goal in the new white jersey in the confident 2-0 (0-0) victory.
“It was a magical night. I dreamed about it, now it’s reality,” said Mbappé, who was finally able to celebrate his first international title at club level. And after this evening it should be clear that it will certainly not be the only one: “It’s crazy and a great honour. It’s always great to score a goal. I hope we keep going like this.” With his goal to make it 2-0, the 25-year-old put the lid on a game that was boring in the first 45 minutes and was then increasingly dominated by Real. Not without surviving a tricky situation, however. Immediately after the final whistle, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved his team from falling behind with an outstanding save. Mario Pasalic headed the ball against the direction of the keeper, who stretched and prevented the ball from hitting the net with his full body extension.
Vinicius Junior is unstoppable
Real Madrid – Atalanta Bergamo 2:0 (0:0)
Tore: 1:0 Valverde (60th), 2:0 Mbappe (68th)
Madrid: Courtois – Carvajal (89. Vazquez), Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy – Tchouameni – Valverde, Bellingham (89. Ceballos) – Rodrygo (76. Modric), Mbappe (83. Brahim Diaz), Vinicius Junior (88. Güler). – Trainer: Ancelotti
Bergamo: Musso – Dijmsiti, Hien (90. Palestra), Kolasinac (71. Bakker) – Zappacosta (63. Godfrey), De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri – Mario Pasalic (90. Manzoni) – De Ketelaere (62. Retegui), Lookman. – Trainer: Gasperini
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Yellow cards: Vinicius Junior, Bellingham – Ederson, Dimsiti
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Champions League champions Real were not free of mistakes, and Bergamo, who fought back bravely, had opportunities to score. But the Italians, who were often erratic at the last minute, did not have a real chance of winning. And the Royal’s early form is just too impressive. Vinicius Junior, who was recently rumored to be moving to Saudi Arabia for billions, is almost unstoppable with his crazy pace, perfect ball control and wit. He set up Federico Valverde’s 1-0 goal brilliantly, ran past his opponent, delayed briefly, allowed a sliding tackle to fly into thin air and served his colleague, who effortlessly slotted it in.
He also had his feet on the ball when Mbappé scored. On the right side of the penalty area, he was determined to set up his new dream partner instead of scoring himself. But that would probably have been a very good idea in a very good position. Instead, he went for the pass. But that failed. Rodrygo saved the ball and finally found the French superstar. He crowned his dream debut with a lightning-fast movement and a powerful shot into the corner, which he had previously garnished with numerous sprints and beautiful ball scenes. Mbappé then built himself up powerfully, a statement to the European competition.
Who is going to beat this team? Yes, that’s a good question. Because Jude Bellingham, the English world star who was more of a moaning monster than a ball giant at the European Championships, also found his way back to his great class. He was never separated from the ball, like Kroos once was. Again and again he broke into the Italian defense with his speed and deep runs and came up with clever ways to take them apart. For example, he once sent Vinicius Junior off with a brilliant through ball, but his shot was too poorly placed.
Bellingham fears a lot of stress
“It’s easy to play with them. They’re all great, Real is the biggest club in the world,” said Mbappé, who is already in love with his new home, whose move he fought so hard for, even using quite controversial means at his former club Paris St. Germain. “I want to thank everyone. It was so easy. I really just have to concentrate on football.” Jude Bellingham, the new boss in midfield, who played in a very offensive role as a number ten, was also enthusiastic. “He’s brilliant and has so much quality. But he’s also a great teammate, very pleasant. He deserves it.” The biggest problem of this ensemble: not an opponent, but their own quality and the incredible range of top players, especially in the offensive – there are also the top talents Endrick and Arda Güler as well as Brahim Diaz – to moderate in such a way that no unrest arises. But if anyone can do that, it’s the coach-fox Carlo Ancelotti.
In the first competitive game of the season, the team “needed a bit of time, but then it clicked and we found our way,” stressed Bellingham, praising: “We were brilliant there. It was fun, we’ll enjoy the celebration – but then it’s straight back to work.” He himself sees a lot of stress coming his way. Because of the speed dribblers Vinicius Junior and Mbappé: “You only have two seconds before both of them are waving their hands and wanting the ball.” The new, gigantic offensive was reminiscent of the legendary trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in their first game together. “That was an extraordinary attack,” admitted Ancelotti, who was also coach at the time. “What never changes in this club is the quality. We had it in 2014 and we still have it in 2024, ten years later.”
The eternal Luka Modrić, who came on late, also had reason to celebrate. With 27 titles, he is now the most successful player in Real Madrid’s history. As coach, Maestro Ancelotti shares this title with the legendary Miguel Munoz (14). “It is an honour and a privilege to experience these nights here, to suffer, to fight and to win,” said the Italian, who apparently cannot be unsettled by anything or anyone. And then there is another record for Real Madrid: With their sixth triumph, the Royal team have overtaken AC Milan in this competition.