Kylian Mbappé made an impressive debut for Real Madrid, scoring in a 2-0 victory against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday. The 25-year-old French forward was recently acquired by Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain after signing a five-year contract.
After joining his new teammates, including Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, in preseason training last week post-Euro 2024, Mbappé took some time to adjust. However, he made an impact in the second half with a powerful shot from the center of the box, extending Madrid’s lead against Atalanta.
Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s coach, expressed confidence in Mbappé’s adaptation, stating that he, along with the rest of the squad, is in good form and ready for action. The coach playfully noted the challenge of integrating so many stars into the lineup this season, as Mbappé competes for positions against notable players like Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz.
Ancelotti also commented on the team’s extensive calendar, highlighting the necessity for player rotation to maintain performance throughout the season. “The same players can’t play all 70 games,” he emphasized.
Regarding penalty duties, Ancelotti hinted that while Mbappé could be a contender, other players such as Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham have also shown proficiency in taking penalties.
Defender Dani Carvajal praised Mbappé’s abilities, noting his past experiences facing him as opponents, and expressed optimism about the upcoming season with Mbappé’s presence.
Real Madrid seeks to capture their sixth UEFA Super Cup title, with their last victory in 2022. Following the Super Cup match, Madrid will begin their LaLiga 2024-25 campaign against Mallorca on Sunday.
In other news, Real Madrid confirmed that midfielder Eduardo Camavinga suffered a knee ligament sprain during training on Tuesday, potentially sidelining him for up to two months.