BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, leaves the field at half-time during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, leaves the field at half-time during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Carlo Ancelotti confirms Real Madrid had to change their style to ‘match Atalanta’s intensity’ in Bergamo and gives an injury update on Kylian Mbappé.
It was a hugely entertaining match at the Gewiss Arena in Bergamo, where La Dea kept fighting back from Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham goals.
However, after a Charles De Ketelaere penalty and Ademola Lookman daisy-cutter, Mateo Retegui had the chance to equalise with the last kick of the game, incredibly turning over from five yards on the Lookman roll across.
“It was a complete performance, we suffered, but also created numerous chances, had a lot of movement upfront with Bellingham, Vinicius and initially Mbappé,” Ancelotti told Sky Sport Italia following the 3-2 thriller.
“We knew that we would have to suffer, we are still missing a lot of players and that means we cannot be at our best, but we needed a performance like this in a very difficult arena against an Atalanta side that plays with a lot of intensity.”
Mbappé went off injured after just 35 minutes, so what happened to the France international?
“It is a muscular issue, we will have to evaluate him tomorrow.”
Ancelotti changed Real Madrid to neutralise Atalanta
BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
These sides met in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14 and Ancelotti’s men emerged 2-0 winners.
Real Madrid were forced to really put the work in with pressing all over the pitch, an unusual approach for the Galacticos to follow.
“We didn’t want to keep a low block, as our centre-backs weren’t very tall and we could suffer with their crosses,” explained Ancelotti.
“So we had to try everything to keep them away from our final third, we managed it at some times more than others. It was necessary because Atalanta play with so much intensity and we had to match them on that.”
The reigning Champions League holders remain very low down the table in 18th place awaiting tomorrow’s fixtures, but have still reignited that spark in LaLiga too, closing to within two points of Barcelona with a game in hand.
“I said before the game too, we have to stay alive until Christmas because the squad is limited, we are missing a lot of players. We got Vini back today, Camavinga should return next week, then Alaba in January. Once we have a more complete squad, we can challenge better.”
Considering Ancelotti’s love of food and the talk about a potential sacking, the Sky Sport Italia studio couldn’t help referencing the old Italian joke that a coach who doesn’t get fired over Christmas gets to eat his panettone.
It made Carletto laugh and he wished them all a good Christmas.
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