Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois warns it ‘will be tough’ against an Atalanta who ‘press all over the park’ in the UEFA European Super Cup on August 14, but Carlo Ancelotti knows how to ‘strike the right balance.’
The match will be played in Warsaw on August 14, between the winners of the Champions League and holders of the Europa League.
It was the first UEFA tournament victory in La Dea’s history and it also earned them the opportunity to face off against the best in this season opener.
“Atalanta are a good side. They press all over the park; we played against them a few years ago in the Champions League and it was a tough game. So, we know it’ll be a tough one, but we’re really going to try to win it. It’s what makes us us. Of course we want to win it,” Courtois told UEFA.com.
Real Madrid are already the most successful club in the history of the Champions League and could now become the first to win the European Super Cup six times too, but Courtois isn’t thinking about that.
“We don’t really pay too much attention to records. Naturally, with the team we have, which includes many youngsters who are eager to win trophies and new trophies, I’m sure we’ll do everything we can to win. If that means breaking yet another record, it’s a nice bonus, but that’s not the most important thing. The most important thing is to try to win this trophy.
“We know we can expect a tough game against Atalanta and that we need to be ready.”
Courtois credits Ancelotti with Real Madrid success
The Merengues earned three of their Champions League victories under Italian coach Ancelotti, who also won it twice at Milan in 2003 and 2007.
“Above all, he’s a great man, a great character and a great manager,” added Courtois.
“He strikes the right balance between giving us freedom and telling us the tactics he wants. He doesn’t just talk tactics, but he gives our players like Vinícius, Rodrygo and Modrić a lot of freedom. You need their natural genius. You can’t box them in with too many tactics. You need their genius to come out.
“He manages the dressing room really well – the training sessions too. We work really hard, but laugh hard too. We have a great time. We work hard but we get the rewards for it, and I love it, so I really think he’s one of the best managers of all time.”
Ancelotti is the only manager to have won all the top five European League titles in Serie A, Ligue 1, the Premier League, Bundesliga and LaLiga, as well as the most successful coach in the history of the Champions League with five triumphs.