Real Madrid’s latest sensation, Kylian Mbappe, made his much-anticipated debut in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta on Wednesday night, marking the occasion with a goal and a trophy. The French star’s start in Madrid’s iconic white kit may not have been his most dazzling performance, but the final scoreline reads one match, one goal, and one trophy – a solid beginning for the newest addition to the Bernabeu.
Ever since the news broke of Mbappe’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain in June, anticipation surrounding his first appearance for Madrid has been building to a fever pitch. His move to the Spanish giants seemed destined long before it was finalized, with many fans eagerly awaiting the moment when he would don the all-white jersey.
Given the circumstances, it would have been unreasonable to expect Mbappe to be at his absolute peak straight away. The match, held at Warsaw’s National Stadium, pitted Real Madrid against a determined Atalanta side. It was Mbappe’s first appearance since France’s semi-final loss to Spain at Euro 2024 on July 9, where he suffered a broken nose. The injury had nearly required surgery, and he was given extended time to rest, missing pre-season training with his new teammates.
Mbappe’s start in this game was subdued. In the first 23 minutes, he had only eight touches and managed just a single blocked shot. Neither team was particularly sharp in the opening stages, but by the latter part of the first half, both sides began to find their rhythm. Real Madrid came closest to opening the scoring when Rodrygo struck the crossbar.
The match picked up pace after the break, with both teams threatening to score. Real Madrid finally broke through just before the hour mark, thanks to Federico Valverde. The Brazilian Vinicius Junior played a significant role in setting up the goal, reminding everyone of his prowess after returning to his preferred wing position in the 4-3-3 formation.
Despite Valverde’s goal and the improving performance from Madrid’s midfield, Mbappe remained relatively quiet. However, that was about to change.
In the 68th minute, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. Madrid’s attack clicked into gear with an impressive team effort. Rodrygo started the play by winning the ball deep in Atalanta’s half, passing it to Vinicius, whose cross missed Mbappe but found Jude Bellingham at the far post. Bellingham cleverly delayed his pass, waiting for Mbappe to create space, and when the opportunity came, the Frenchman coolly finished, marking his first goal for Real Madrid.
The celebration that followed was a clear sign of Mbappe’s integration into the squad. As he stood with his arms folded in his signature pose, Vinicius and Rodrygo quickly joined him, mimicking the stance, signaling that Mbappe had already found his place within the Madrid family.
With the game now firmly in their control, Madrid’s focus shifted to protecting their lead. Coach Carlo Ancelotti decided to substitute Mbappe with a few minutes left on the clock, acknowledging a solid performance given the context. Though he wasn’t at his electrifying best, the glimpses of his potential alongside Madrid’s star-studded squad were enough to fuel excitement for the future.
Madrid comfortably saw out the remainder of the match, securing their record-breaking sixth UEFA Super Cup triumph. With Mbappe now settled into the team, the possibilities for what this side can achieve seem limitless, and Real Madrid fans have every reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.
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