Carlo Ancelotti, the players and the president spoke after the victory vs Bilbao in Riyadh. For some players it was the first trophy as a Madridista and for some others it was another one added to the rich collection. But one thing is for sure, as the coach also said, Real Madrid is strong enough to compete in every competition against any team.
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti gave his thoughts on the win over Athletic, which saw Real Madrid secure their twelfth Spanish Super Cup. He said: "We deserved to win the trophy based on the two games we've played here. Both games were different, but they were good games. We had to play differently in this game and played well for the first 70 minutes. We controlled the possession and defended very well. We dropped a bit deeper afterwards, but that could happen in a final. I'm very pleased, happy and we'll carry on".
"We're going to compete, but I'm lucky to be here. It's a great honour to coach this team and this club. We're going to compete for the other trophies too, he added.
The strength of the squad: "I can take a lot from today. Firstly, we're got a very good squad. The spirit is also good. We're strong enough to fight for everything. I like to watch this team play. We can play in different ways and that's this team's strength. Kroos and Modrić's are not the best when it comes to defending, but they're very committed".
Differences with his previous spell at Real Madrid: "They're two different periods, yet the thing that remains the same is the quality of team. The foundation's are pretty much the same. Cristiano isn't here now, but we've got Vini Jr. and Rodrygo, who are young and playing very well. We play a bit differently now than during my first stint here. The level of pride is always high. It's special to coach here".
Possession: "We played out from the back very well, especially in the first half and against a very good pressing team. I think we had the quality to play out from the back and they found it difficult. It's always nice when you have a lot of possession like today".
“The team has really worked hard in the last two games. So it’s normal to have tiredness. Our next game is on Thursday. We need to recover, but the team has so much quality because if players are tired, others can come in. We can prepare well for Thursday’s game. I’m not tired of winning because the last trophy I won was the Super Cup with Bayern and I hadn’t won anything for a while. I’m enjoying it just as much and I love seeing so many people happy and the players too. We’ll do our best to win the next trophy”.
The importance of winning: “Winning is the result of the hard work. Winning means you’ve done a good job, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. I did a good job at Napoli and Everton but I didn’t win anything. People think that winning means you’ve been successful. I know that you can’t always win because sometimes you draw or lose”.
Sacrifice: “I feel calmer now because I initially had my doubts about the quality of the defence, but everything worked out well. But they’ve won a lot of trophies and they’re still committed. When you win a lot you think you’re more handsome, you play the best football in the world and the level of sacrifice drops a bit. Fortunately, the level of sacrifice from our players is high. I don’t think my players are handsome, they’re ugly (laughs)”.
On Rodrygo and Asensio: “Each player has his own characteristics. I don’t think Rodrygo needs more confidence, because I’ve given him all the confidence in the world, and it’s what he deserves. Sometimes he plays and other times Asensio. And this competition between the two of them helps the team. Rodrygo played really well in the first half. He was a threat and had the beating of his marker. He’s young and he’ll improve a lot more”.
On Marcelo: “Marcelo has been affected by Mendy’s arrival. But he’s still a top professional and a very important player for the squad. I didn’t give him any kind of prize. There wasn’t long left and I needed to cover the left wing. His attitude shown every day means he deserves to get more minutes”
Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois who spectacularly saved the penalty in the 88th minute, had the following to say: “This trophy win comes down to all the hard work we have put in. After the defeat against Getafe maybe questions were asked of us, but we beat Valencia, won the Clásico and now today. We have to keep this up. On Thursday we have an important game in the cup against Elche and we want to reach the final. They’ve beaten Villarreal and will be tough to beat”.
“Athletic are tough opponents who defend well. We play more organised and they grew into the game. We almost scored an own goal and then there was the penalty. I intended to leave a foot there and my reflexes with the leg were good enough to keep it out. If they’d scored the penalty there would’ve been seven or eight minutes of high tension. We were down to ten men and they would’ve pressed to take the game to extra-time. But it worked out for us in the end. We’re delighted to win the Super Cup and we hope more will come”.
Praise from the club president: “Thanks a lot. I just try to keep doing what is expected of me and please the madridistas, which is what means the most to me. I try to keep winning with the team”.
Lucas Vasquez
Lucas Vázquez expressed his happiness and said with no doubt that Real Madrid totally deserved to win: “It was really important to win this trophy. We have to keep working hard to win more come the end of the season. The team played well and did a great job. The plan was to dominate possession and that’s what we did. We control the game and dominated from start to finish. We knew that to win a trophy you always have to suffer a bit and Courtois’s penalty save was really important. We’re delighted”.
"We've got a very good squad. We know what we need to do to keep winning trophies and we're going to carry on working hard so the team can demonstrate how good it is. All coaches have their own way of doing things. We're enjoying a good season and we'll carry on fighting until the end. We've got another very important game in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. It's non-stop", he continued.
Starter in the final: "I'm happy to be have the chance to play in this sort of match, hopefully I'll be able to play in a lot more of them. 13 titles is a very nice number and all that motivates me is to continue adding to it".
Luka Modric
Luka Modrić was the man of the match in the Spanish Super Cup final after Real Madrid beat Athletic 2-0 at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh. The Croatian bagged the opener with a great goal and said: "I'm really happy to win and to claim the first trophy of the season. Being named man of the match is not the most important thing, the most important thing is getting the win and the first trophy of the season. We will celebrate now, but we have to keep going because we've got a long season ahead of us".
"I always strive to do my best and support the team as much as I can. I'm enjoying my football like never before. You enjoy things more at this age as you never know how much longer you're going to play. Hopefully I can keep going for many more years like this because I feel good physically and mentally", he added.
His goal: "At last I scored, as this year I've hit the woodwork a lot and missed a lot of chances. It was an important goal at the end of a good move. Rodrygo took on three players and laid a good ball off for me. It was a good goal that helped the team grow in confidence. We dropped off too much near the end of the game and allowed Athletic to have too much of the ball".
On his silverware list as a madridista:“I’ve been on such an amazing journey at the greatest club in the world. I’m really grateful for everything that has happened and to reach 18 trophies is incredible. I hope to win more in the future”
Message to the fans: “This trophy is for you. Thanks a lot for all your support. We have to stay together until the end of the season. I hope we can celebrate more trophy wins at Cibeles. Hala Madrid”.
Florentino Perez
Florentino Pérez spoke to Realmadrid TV after the Spanish Super Cup final: "I'm like every other madridista. Thrilled that we've won won our first trophy of the season and that we've started very well. Things have turned around with a new coach and new people. We're delighted. We always want to win everything. We were taught that from an early age. Last year was my 60th as a Real Madrid member and we were brought up like this. I'm really happy to have won the first trophy of the season".
A new start: "Winning this trophy means a lot. We made changes and are now in a new stage with a coach who knows us very well. We've also made some changes in the defence and so far the results have been very good. We're pleased and optimistic because we've taken a new direction, which we wanted to do by winning. What we've done so far is going well. We need to continue like this, with the same intensity and not lower our guard because if we do, things will change. I'm very pleased with what we've achieved so far this season".
The final: "It was a typical Spanish Super Cup game contested by two teams who wanted to win. I would like to congratulate Athletic as they played well".
Continuing the legacy of Santiago Bernabéu: "I come from a Real Madrid history that was established by Santiago Bernabéu and everything we do is in order to continue along the path that he showed us".
On Marcelo: “Marcelo is a great player and a Real Madrid legend. He came here at the age of 18 and has gone on to become a world class player. I'm delighted that they have given him this great ovation in this place, where people know so much about football and where there are a lot of madridistas”.
On Courtois and Modric: “Not wanting to boast, but both are the best in the world in their positions. We have the best goalkeeper and Modrić is in the kind of form that makes him a contender to win the Balon d´Or again”.
Real Madrid’s global status: “Madrid is a worldwide club and wherever we go there are plenty of madridistas. It's not down to me, it's because of the club's history. Football is global and we are the most supported club in the world. We are delighted because we keep on bringing satisfaction to all the fans”.
He continued: “I would like to take this opportunity to mention the way we have been treated here and by the organisation by the Federation. Everything has been magnificent, in addition to winning the trophy. I also want to say that it has been a great week for Spanish football and that it has been recognised internationally by everyone. The atmosphere throughout the week has been very football-like. We have been warmly welcomed by the Saudi fans and we have played as if we were at home here. I wouldn't mind coming back. The Saudi Arabian fans have been excellent”.
Penalties: “I never talk about the referees. If they gave them I’m sure they were (penalties)”.
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