August 14 – With the UEFA Super Cup tonight, Real Madrid’s management and players are gearing up for 72 possible matches in all competitions, concluding with the Club World Cup in 11 months time.
“It’s going to be a very demanding season from the start,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, while skipper Dani Carvajal went even further as he denounced what the club considers an impossible schedule.
“It doesn’t make sense, you can’t keep up this pace. We and our families suffer,” declared Carvajal . “It is impossible to maintain the level with so many games and trips.”
Meanwhile, Ancelloti was tight-lipped about whether Kylian Mbappe could make his debut for the Champions League holders against Europa League winners Atalanta.
Mbappe, 25, landed in the Spanish capital last week to start training with the team after joining from Paris St. Germain in June and ending a transfer saga that rumbled on for years.
“We haven’t had much time to train but we are doing very well, and Kylian has also arrived in good shape. He is adapting very well. Obviously everyone who is here can play tomorrow,” said Ancelotti who had previously said following one of the recent US friendlies that the players who won the Champions League should have priority in the Super Cup.
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