"They are ready" – Carlo Ancelotti confirms new signing Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid superstar will start in UEFA Super Cup
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that both summer signing Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham will start his side's upcoming UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta.
During a recent interaction with media, Ancelotti was queried to provide insight into his club's preparations for the UEFA Super Cup match on Wednesday (August 14). He replied (h/t X/@MadridXtra):
"Mbappe can start in the Super Cup, obviously. Jude Bellingham too. They are ready."
Mbappe, who left Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as a free agent earlier in June, joined Real Madrid on a Bosman move last month. The 25-year-old is expected to join his teammates in Madrid after the conclusion of Los Blancos' ongoing pre-season tour of the United States.
Bellingham, on the other hand, is also currently on holiday after guiding England to the UEFA Euro 2024 final last month. Both the Englishman and Daniel Carvajal will team up with Los Merengues next week.
Mbappe, who penned a five-year contract at his new team in July, scored 44 goals and registered 10 assists in 48 overall outings for PSG last campaign. Bellingham, on the other hand, bagged 23 goals and laid out 13 assists in 42 total appearances in the 2023-24 term.
Thibaut Courtois downplays Barcelona's 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Real Madrid
Earlier this Saturday (August 3), Real Madrid slumped to a 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to rivals Barcelona at MetLife Stadium in New York. Pau Victor scored twice and Nico Paz bagged a consolation goal.
After the end of his club's recent game, Los Blancos shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois shared his thoughts on the pre-season loss. The 32-year-old Belgian remarked (h/t Football Espana):
"These pre-seasons... we play games that are interesting for the fans and for the public that goes to the stadium. In the end, the stadiums are full when Real Madrid plays. That we don't like to lose against Barcelona is obvious. Even if it's pre-season, you don’t want to lose."
Courtois, who started his side's latest clash against Barcelona, added:
"But in the end, when it counts is during the season and as [Daniel] Carvajal said last season, when it comes down to it, we'll see. It was a mixed match mixing young people with people with experience in the first-team, both us and them, It's just that."
Real Madrid will wrap up their United States tour after locking horns with Chelsea in a friendly clash in Charlotte this Tuesday (August 6).