Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw had the honor. It was the Polish metropolis that hosted the European Super Cup between the winner of the Champions League and the Europa League. In other words – Real Madrid’s duel with Atalanta Bergamo. Kylian Mbappé made his first appearance in the white ballet jersey and immediately started with a goal. Thanks to his work, Real beat the Italian club 2-0 and won the first trophy of the new season.
It was a typical first half for Los Blancos when it comes to anything. Do you remember the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund in June? Real started very hard. Like an old locomotive uphill. However, strategist Carlo Ancelotti came up with a diabolical plan during the break and the cup was at home. It looked similar on Wednesday in Warsaw, although it could not be said that Atalanta was better in the first half. Actually, almost nothing happened. Two crossbars, but otherwise boring. But after the break, things happened.
NUMBER 8 LIVES!
First, in the 59th minute, Real finished a great combination into an empty box. Vinícius Júnior’s pass was used by Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan midfielder was not afraid of that and after the end of Toni Kroos’ career, he did not slack off and took his number eight on his shirt. “I still can’t believe it. The day when Toni told me I could take his number will forever be a memory in my heart,” Valverde gushed already in June. However, the 26-year-old midfielder did not just take over the number on his back from the German legend, he is also supposed to fulfill his role as a game dispatcher, and if he adds a goal structure, maybe someone will consider the number eight, which he will take over in a few years after him.
MBAPPE’S PRIME MINISTER
Millions of Real fans around the world were waiting for that moment like the arrival of a savior. Mbappé celebrating a goal in a Real jersey? Dreams became reality. Not that it was a phenomenal match from the French superstar, but he ended up playing a major role in those key moments. He was actually the one who took down two defenders in the first goal action, so Valverde could stand out.
After an hour of play, his moment came when he found Jude Bellingham’s ball in the box and headed between the backs into the half-open corner of the goal. Goalkeeper Juan Musso was helpless. Mbappé thus fulfilled his main task and gave his place to Brahím Díaz in the 83rd minute.
It is also interesting that Mbappé was often guarded by a certain Isak Hien. Slavia showed an interest in the Swedish defender in the services of Atalanta some time ago. In full nudity, it became clear who the people of Prague could pamper. Although Hien did not reach the French gunner in time for the 2-0 goal, he played a decent game overall.
By the way, it was Mbappé and Bellingham who jumped into the game for the first time since the end of the EURO in Germany. Ancelotti gave them time off to rest during the rest of the training. His foresight has now borne Super Cup fruit.
TWO ITALIAN FOXES
The fight between two grizzled elegant men at the benches was also a micro-story of the match. Carlo Ancelotti no longer has to prove anything to anyone on the Real bench, Gian Piero Gasperini won his first coaching trophy at the end of last season in the Europa League. They are both the same age. Ancelotti is sixty-five, Gasperini is only a few months older. This time, however, she applied again for the word of Ancelotti’s aura. There was nothing to solve. Atalanta played a sympathetic encounter, but Real once again proved their greatness.
Goals
Home: 59. Valverde, 68. Mbappé
Assemblies
Home: Courtois – Carvajal (88. Vazquez), Militao, Rudiger, Mendy – Valverde, Chouaméni – Rodrygo (76. Modric), Bellingham (88. Ceballos), Vinicius Junior (88. Güler) – Mbappe (83. Diaz).
Guests: Musso – Djimsiti, Hien (90th Palestra), Kolašinac (70th Bakker) – Zappacosta (62nd Godfrey), de Roon (C), Éderson, Ruggeri – Pašalić (90th Manzoni) – Lookman, De Ketelaere (62nd Retegui ).
Substitutes
Home: Lunin, Gonzalez, Camavinga, Modric, Guler, Endrick, Vazquez, Vallejo, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Ramon
Guests: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Godfrey, Sulemana, Bakker, Palestra, Retegui, Comi, Tornaghi, Manzoni, Vavassori, Cassa
Cards
Home: Bellingham, Vinicius Junior
Guests: Ederson, Djimsiti
Referee
Schärer – De Almeida, Erni (SUI)
Stadium
PGE National, Warsaw
Visit
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