Ancelotti: Real Madrid at a slight disadvantage in Super Cup final

If there is a specialist at winning European Super Cups, it’s Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach has won the trophy three times - winning every finals he has played to date. He won the Champions League twice with AC Milan (2003 and 2007) and guided Real Madrid to their 10th European crown in 2014. On Wednesday, 10 August, Ancelotti will have the chance to become the first coach to win the trophy four times when his side take on Europa League winners, Eintracht Frankfurt.

With an opportunity to pick up the first piece of silverware of the season, the Madrid coach gave an interview to uefa.com, in which he has analyzed how both teams go into the match and the Europa League champions. Likewise, he looked back on the last edition of the Champions League, which led them to this European final. Ancelotti also had a few words for both of Madrid’s new signings and to those who time at Real Madrid came to an end this summer.

Winning the Super Cup: “We have a few more disadvantages than Eintracht, who start their season earlier, but we’ll play to win. We look forward and not back. Last year’s victories reinforce what we believe, but we need to focus on the upcoming matches. During this coming season, there are six titles at stake, and we want to fight for all of them”.

What do you expect from Eintracht? “Last year, Eintracht achieved something special because they weren’t among the favourites. They played great games, winning against Barcelona at Camp Nou by playing a counterattacking style of football, with huge attention to defence and high-speed transitions”.

First coach to win the Champions League four times: “I am extremely proud of all that. It was an incredible season for me, as well as for Real Madrid. Naturally, coming back to Real Madrid has been extremely gratifying for me. For me, it’s important to continue being the coach of this big club and this great team”.

How do you motivate the players? “We’re ready. The team is looking in great shape already. The joy and satisfaction you get after such wins [in the Champions League final] tends to stick around, making you feel like no one should ever take your place. And that’s a pretty strong motivation to keep winning”.

Comebacks in the Champions League: “It’s a very fresh memory and there was also a very special chemistry with the supporters and the stadium. All the comebacks we made were achieved in our stadium, thanks to that boost which came from the stands. Always believe, never give up. After all, we played against very strong teams. It was inevitable that we would suffer”.

Difference between the Décima and the last Champions League: “In 2014, La Décima was probably more predictable because the team had been close to achieving it so many times already. Gareth Bale had just joined us and we were favourites to win the title from the start. This year, we were anything but favourites, but we still managed to win, thanks to the great cohesion and quality of the team. I think the key factors were the humbleness and experience of the older players, complemented by the energy and enthusiasm of the younger ones”.

Signings and departures from Madrid this summer: “I believe we’ve got two players who are among the best in the world in their role. First of all, their quality increases the team’s physical and technical ability. Then there is [the need to] adapt to the group and the group adapting to them a bit. We must not forget that the three who left, Marcelo, Isco and Bale, have made history for this club in recent years, so the whole of Real Madrid is grateful to those players. We hope the newcomers can repeat the exploits of those who have left”.