Mbappe seeks first title with Real Madrid against Atalanta

French star Kylian Mbappe is looking to make a strong start for Real Madrid when he plays his first official match against Atalanta in the European Super Cup in Warsaw on Wednesday.

The Royal Club, which won the Champions League title for a record 15th time last June, aspires to become the first team to win the continental Super Cup for the sixth time.

Real Madrid currently share the record of 5 titles with compatriots Barcelona and AC Milan.

The capital club enters the Super Cup match after an exceptional season in which it did not lose any of its last 26 matches (17 wins and 9 draws), and strengthened its arsenal with the addition of the well-known star Mbappe, who came from Paris Saint-Germain.

There is no doubt that all eyes will be on Mbappe, who has finally joined the club he has loved since childhood, and with which his name has been linked for years without his transfer goal being achieved until this summer.

Mbappe is coming off a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign, where France were knocked out in the semi-finals by eventual winners Spain, while 2018 World Cup winner Mbappe has only managed one goal in the tournament, a penalty in the group stage against Poland.

In an exceptional official presentation ceremony at the Santiago Bernabéu, the 25-year-old addressed the Real fans in fluent Spanish in front of his tearful parents and his compatriot, the club's star and former coach Zinedine Zidane, who has never hidden his desire to attract the French phenomenon to Real Madrid since he was a child.

"Wow... it's incredible to be here. For years I dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true. I'm a happy boy, I will give my life to this club and this badge. I'm proud to have achieved my dream and become a player for the best club in the history of football," Mbappé said.

Mbappe, who moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired, signed a five-season contract.

First match and first title

Real Madrid now has a complete attacking arsenal led by Mbappe and Brazilians Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, followed by the brilliant Englishman Jude Bellingham.

The presence of this constellation of stars represents a great challenge for coach Carlo Ancelotti, as the team now has a well-equipped squad and its starting lineup will undoubtedly be the best locally, European and globally. This places great and double pressure after the Spanish capital team achieved the two most important titles last season, which are the league and the Champions League.

"Kylian will bring his quality, as well as his serenity, his attitude and his dedication," Ancelotti said of the arrival of Mbappe, who is aiming to win his first title with the team in his first official match. "He will have to adapt to this team, like everyone else. We are very happy to have Mbappe here because he has great qualities, I am sure of that."

"Given his personality, he will adapt quickly," the Italian coach said in an interview with the UEFA website.

"Everyone at Real Madrid is very happy to have him here: the fans, the club, the players, his teammates and the coach. We are sure he will do a very good job," he added.

Atalanta to pull off another surprise

There is no doubt that Merengue will be the team most likely to emerge victorious, but they will have to be careful against Atalanta, led by their coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who managed to end the historic and record streak of Bayer Leverkusen without defeat when they beat them in the final of the Europa League competition "Europa League" on May 22.

He also finished last season in fourth place in the Italian League, two points behind third-placed Juventus.

"Atalanta are a good team, they press everywhere on the pitch," said Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. "We played them a few years ago in the Champions League and it was a tough game (in the round of 16 during the 2020-21 season, 1-0 in the first leg and 3-1 in the second leg).

"So, we know it will be a tough match, but we will try to win it," he continued.

"Real Madrid are a great team, but we are happy to be the underdogs. It was the same against Leverkusen, so maybe this is a good turn for us," said Atalanta captain Martin de Roon.

(AFP)