Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois warns that “it will be tough” against an Atalanta side that “is putting pressure all over the pitch” in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14, but Carlo Ancelotti knows how to “find the balance”.
The match will be played in Warsaw on August 14 between the winner of the Champions League and the winner of the Europa League.
It was the first UEFA tournament win in La Dea’s history and also gave them the chance to face the most productive teams in the first match of this season.
“Atalanta are a smart team. They crowd the park; we played against them a few years ago in the Champions League and it was a difficult game. So, we know it’s going to be difficult, but we’re actually going to take a look to win it “That’s what makes us, of course, that we need to win it,” Courtois told UEFA. com.
Real Madrid are already the most successful club in Champions League history and may now be the first to win the European Super Cup six times, but Courtois isn’t thinking about it.
“We don’t pay attention to records. Naturally, with the team we have, which includes many other youngsters who are hungry to win trophies and new trophies, I’m sure we’ll do our best to win. If that means still breaking any other record, that’s a huge advantage, but it’s not the most important thing. The most important thing is to try to win this trophy.
“We know that we have a difficult game ahead of us against Atalanta and that we have to be ready. “
The Merengues have won 3 of their Champions League victories from Italian coach Ancelotti, who also won it twice in Milan in 2003 and 2007.
“He is above all a man, a character and a coach,” Courtois added.
“He moves the right balance between giving us freedom and telling us the tactics he wants. Not only does it communicate tactics, but it provides a lot of freedom to our players like Vinícius, Rodrygo and Modrić. You want his natural genius. You can’t lock them up with too many tactics. You want his genius to come out.
“He handles the locker room and education very well as well. We painted very hard, but we also laughed a lot. We are having a smart time. We work hard but we get rewarded for it and I love it, so I think he’s one of the most productive managers of all time.
Ancelotti is the only coach to have won the most of five Europa League titles in Serie A, Ligue 1, Premier League, Bundesliga and LaLiga, as well as the most successful coach in Champions League history with five wins.
This article was first published on Football Italy and has been published with permission.
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