Ancelotti: “It is an honour and a privilege to live these nights here, suffering, fighting and winning”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke to the media after Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup final win over Atalanta. He was asked about a host of things, firstly about how it feels to equal Miguel Munoz’s record for most titles won with Real Madrid, to which he said: “It is an honour and a privilege to live these nights here, suffering, fighting and winning too. I am very happy. It is an honour to coach this team. We did well. Atalanta played very well. They were very strong in their duels. When the game opened up a bit, we were able to show our quality. It was not an easy game. Atalanta played very well.”

Ancelotti on Mbappe

“Mbappé has enormous quality. He worked well. He combined, he worked defensively. Like the team, they were not good in the first half. When a game opens up and we have more space, it is easier for us. Vini contributed a lot, everyone. Bellingham, Rodrygo. In the second half we played very well.”

Ancelotti on the performance from Real Madrid

“We suffered a bit in the first half, because Atalanta pressed hard and played very well defensively. In the second half the game opened up a bit, they showed signs of fatigue and we had more space. In the first half they won more duels than us and we had more difficulties. With space, Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappé are very dangerous.”

Ancelotti on comparing this team with the team from 2014

“We talked about it yesterday, we tried to compare this team with the one from 2014 and it is very complicated. In 2014 the team was fantastic. With Bale, Benzema and Cristiano it was exceptional. The quality does not change in this team. We had it then and we have it now.”

Ancelotti on the performance from the midfield

“Tchouameni, Valverde and Bellingham played a good game. There were a lot of duels and we thought we would play more vertically and it didn’t work out well in the first half. But in the second, with more space, we had more options. I think all three played very well defensively, giving balance at the back.”

Ancelotti on the difficulty of coaching such a talented team

“The most difficult thing is to find a balance with the quality we have up front. We hope to have a fantastic season. I think we will find this balance.”

Ancelotti on Alaba’s recovery

“He is progressing well, working on an individual level. We need to take it easy, because it was a fairly serious injury. We believe he will start running in the next few days.”

Ancelotti on what he said to Gasperini

“I told him it was like going to the dentist. They are very strong in duels. They put a lot of pressure on us. They played a great game.”

Ancelotti on whether Mbappe could reach 50 goals

“He has the quality to score many goals. We have to find the balance of the team and today we had that, although in the first half the game was spectacular. But the team played a great game defensively.”

Ancelotti on Bellingham’s performance

“He played a very good second half.”

Ancelotti on Eduardo Camavinga

“I was doubtful [about whether to play him] and unfortunately, he got injured. We hope he recovers quickly. He had the option to play, but unfortunately, he got injured.”

Ancelotti on whether something is missing

“The players who arrived a week ago arrived in good shape. I appreciate that. Nothing is missing. We have to work, fight and compete in every game.”