Real Madrid secured their first trophy of the season on Wednesday night, winning the European Supercup against Atalanta with a 2-0 victory. The other big headline was the debut of Kylian Mbappe, who scored and looked ominous for opponents.
There had been some intrigue over how Carlo Ancelotti would fit all of his stars into the side, but with Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior up front, and Jude Bellingham playing deeper, Los Blancos looked formiddable. Bellingham told TNT Sports that he didn’t mind where he was positioned initially, and that Ancelotti trusted his judgement.
"You've got to enjoy these nights, but come Sunday… straight back to work." 😤
Incredible mentality from Jude Bellingham following his fourth trophy of 2024 🤩
🎙 @Becky_Ives_ pic.twitter.com/PcVhh28J92
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 14, 2024
Meanwhile he also praised Real Madrid for bringing in Mbappe off the back of a Champions League and Liga double.
Jude Bellingham on Kylian Mbappe🗣️
"You go and win and then you bring in a player like him. The definition of #RealMadrid that kind of signing."pic.twitter.com/NBbQ1EBzIt
— Football España (@footballespana_) August 15, 2024
Bellingham’s numbers, despite playing further back, were also impressive, as highlighted by Diario AS. His four shots were the most of anyone in Real Madrid, the most on target (2), and he created the most chances (3). The 21-year-old also completed more passes than anyone else in the final third (16), completed the most dribbles (5) and who had the most interventions in the game (75).
While he clearly enjoyed a brilliant debut season for Los Blancos, he was undoubtedly declining in performance in the second half of the season. By the time he arrived at the Euros, Bellingham was running on fumes, excepting his pair of massive goals. Part of his ‘struggles’, to be scathing, was also the pain from a shoulder injury.
“During the preseason I had a brace on. At the end of last season it bothered me and the protection helped me. But I must trust in the work I am doing with [fitness coach] Antonio Pintus and the rest of the club’s professionals. In football anything can happen. What I want is to focus on playing as well as possible and not think about my shoulder,” he said after the Atalanta win.
Having had a month’s rest following an exhausting season, Bellingham looked refreshed and revitalised on Wednesday night. If they can keep him in good condition, he is set for another successful season.
