Mbappe strikes on debut as Madrid beat Atalanta in UEFA Super Cup

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Kylian Mbappe struck on his Real Madrid debut to help his new side claim a record sixth UEFA Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Atalanta on Wednesday in Warsaw. The superstar French forward has waited years to play for his dream club and after finally signing for Los Blancos this summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain deal, celebrated his first appearance with a goal.

Fede Valverde broke the deadlock from close range for the Champions League holders in the 59th minute after the Italian Europa League winners held their own in the first half. Madrid began to rack up the chances and Mbappe rifled home in the 68th minute after Jude Bellingham spotted his dart into space in the box to seal the victory.

“It was a great night, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Mbappe told Movistar, speaking in fluent Spanish. “To play with this shirt, with this badge, for these fans, it’s a gift for me. “We won a trophy too, that’s very important, we know that here we always have to win and I am very happy.” Madrid’s triumph ensured coach Carlo Ancelotti equalled former Los Blancos coach Miguel Munoz on a joint-record 14 titles won at the helm of the club. The Italian’s first task this season is designing a system that can get the best out of his array of attacking stars.

Mbappe began through the middle of Madrid’s forward line, flanked by Vinicius Junior on the left and Rodrygo Goes on the right, in the first look at how he might fit into Ancelotti’s plans this season. As a result England international Bellingham played as part of the midfield trio rather than in the advanced position he began last season in to such devastating goalscoring effect.

“(Mbappe) has the quality to score a lot of goals,” Ancelotti told Movistar. “What we have to look for is balance in the team today we didn’t have that balance.” Mbappe’s only chance in a tight first half arrived in the 15th minute but his shot from the middle of the box was well blocked by Isak Hien.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta, appearing in their first Super Cup after stunning Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final last season, came close to taking the lead when Eder Militao headed Marten de Roon’s cross ahead his own bar. Belling ham was booked for a late challenge on Atalanta goalkeeper Juan Musso on a foray forward from midfield after taking a heavy touch to control a clever ball from Vinicius.

Rodrygo clipped the top of Atalanta’s crossbar just before the break after being teed up by Vinicius. Madrid stopper Thibaut Courtois, who missed most of last season injured, produced a stunning one-handed save to tip over a Mario Pasalic header at the start of the second half. Madrid broke the deadlock before the hour mark through Valverde, tapping home from close range while Atalanta’s defence worried about Mbappe , who was moving with more freedom.