Carlo Ancelotti is unconcerned about Vinicius Junior's current form and fully expects him to bounce back quickly as they prepare to face Real Sociedad.

Vinicius has scored once and registered one assist in LaLiga so far this season, while he has created 15 chances, the most of any of his team-mates.

However, he has been criticised for a slow start to the season with Madrid, and for lacklustre performances for Brazil in a narrow win over Ecuador and a shock loss to Paraguay during the international break. 

Ancelotti acknowledged that Vinicius has yet to hit the heights of his previous seasons, but stressed that the player needs support.

"He's not at his best, but he's still very important for us," Ancelotti told a press conference on Friday. 

"We're in no hurry because the team has managed to score, and he has been important... and the last concern for me is Vinicius' condition, but we have to take good care of him.

"He always works well, and it's a matter of just time for him to reach his best level. I can't fool myself into thinking that I'll have all players at 100% at all times.

"I don't want to go into his problems in Brazil, but what I see is a more general issue, because they are not managing to bring out their best version as a group.

"Here we are delighted with Vinicius because although he is not at his best right now, no one can forget that with Vini, we have been able to win two Champions League titles... We have to be very fond of him at Madrid."

Ancelotti said that he will have to evaluate the fitness of Vinicius and his Brazil team-mates Rodrygo and Endrick after a long trip back from international duty, in order to minimise the risks of injury as his side gear up for a busy schedule with seven games in the next three weeks.

The Italian will face a selection headache ahead of Saturday's clash at La Real with defender David Alaba and midfielders Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni still recovering from injuries.

"With the way the calendar is built, we will have injuries, it is just the way it is, so rotating is a good thing," Ancelotti added.

"We are used to playing that many games but need to be vigilant in monitoring the players' fatigue so they can rest when they need.

"The players who have just come back from the international break, like Vinicius, Rodrygo and Endrick, who had long travels with Brazil, are under observation because they haven't had time to rest or train.

"We have to try to avoid injuries. Last year we had a lot of injuries, but we managed to cope very well. With this schedule, it's normal to have injuries, and we have to face it."

Carlo Ancelotti has no plans to call time on his illustrious coaching career, saying he will only leave the sport when he no longer feels nervous ahead of games.

Ancelotti is one of the most decorated coaches in European football history, with his five Champions League titles as a manager being a competition record.

The fifth of those triumphs came with Real Madrid in June as they beat Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium, having progressed through a series of dramatic ties earlier in the tournament.

Los Blancos overcame Manchester City on penalties in the quarter-finals despite facing 33 shots on their goal in the second leg, a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

They then salvaged victory from the jaws of defeat in the last four as Joselu scored twice – in the 88th and 91st minutes – to stun Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ancelotti so often appears an island of calm amid the chaos, but the Italian insists he still gets nervous ahead of big games and will do so until the day he retires.

"A life without pressure or a little stress does not exist. Too much stress, no, but a little is fuel. The day I don't have excitement before a match is the day I have to stop," he said at the Mexico Siglo XXI event.

"Before a match there is worry, there is a negative feeling thinking that it will not go well, that they will score a goal… When the match starts, everything stops.

"So, you have to look for calm to handle the situations of the game. I will continue coaching until the fire I have for football dies down. 

"Some great things have happened in my life, some difficult moments. My life has been normal. I have been lucky to have a job that is my passion. I am grateful to football for giving me that opportunity.

"I still get nervous before a match, I feel pressure, and as long as that doesn't change I will continue here. I see myself coaching for a long time, yes."

Ancelotti is known for involving his big-name players in his decision-making, and he says that collaborative approach has been key to his success.

"It is very difficult to explain what a leader should be like. It is much more important to convince than to impose your opinion on them," he added.

"A leader must have the ability to listen to those who work with you. They can always give you ideas that can help you. 

"It is important to listen and not think that you know everything because you are the boss. You can always learn."

Carlo Ancelotti has said he is pleased with the start Kylian Mbappe has made at Real Madrid, despite the fact he has not yet scored a league goal.

Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June and scored in their 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup but three weeks on, has yet to open his account in the league.

The 25-year-old has taken eight shots so far, five of which have been on target, missing some presentable chances, although his manager is not worried.

“(Mbappe) is playing very well even if he hasn’t scored yet. His influence creates danger,” said Ancelotti ahead of their clash with Real Betis this Sunday.

“For me (Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe) are teaming up well, the offensive work is being done very well. It hasn’t been a problem because we’ve scored goals in every game.

“With time, they will team up better, not just Vini and Mbappe but Mbappe with the midfielders as well.

“Offensively, we don’t have a problem. We haven’t had it these years and we’re not going to have it not that we have the best strikers in the world.”

Ancelotti also suggested that he is not worried about his team’s slow start to the LaLiga season, but appreciates that criticism is understandable.

Real Madrid have won one and drawn two of their opening three matches and are currently four points behind league leaders Barcelona, who have won all three.

“It’s absolutely normal because the demands on this team are at their highest,” he said.

“We are going to be criticised until May, this is normal for us. We are not happy because we are four points behind.”

But the Italian was quick to temper any overreactions.

“The season is very long and that (points difference) doesn’t mean much,” he said.

“We are trying to solve our problems. So far we have not been able to have a compact block and we have to improve this.

“I have talked about it with the players and they agree. When the problem is clear, it is easy to fix it.”

Carlo Ancelotti offered no excuses for Real Madrid's lacklustre start to the 2024-25 campaign.

LaLiga champions Madrid fought back to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas on Thursday.

Vinicius Junior scored midway through the second half, ensuring Los Blancos remained unbeaten, though they have taken just five points out of a possible nine so far.

Ancelotti said he expected his team to play better together and blamed himself, insisting it his responsibility to make matters click.

"It is clear that we are struggling to find the soundness of last season," he said.

"But we must not look for excuses. The schedule is tight and we have to recover quickly, because on Sunday we have another game.

"I need to have a clearer strategy, to give the players more clarity in what I want. It's costing us more than we thought. We have to work and concentrate on the path we want to take."

Kylian Mbappe endured another frustrating performance by his high standards, with the France star yet to score in LaLiga.

Mbappe had a whopping nine shots, yet only hit the target with two of then.

He has had 17 shots in total in LaLiga this term, making the 25-year-old the player to have had the most attempts in the top five European leagues, and the one with the worst expected goals (xG) underperformance (1.8 xG, no goals scored).

Ancelotti, however, says the whole team, not just individuals, must improve.

He added: "Our game has been slow. There is not much mobility and the strikers are receiving the ball with the opposing teams already close.

"When we don't have the ball, we leave too many spaces between the lines."

"I don't think it's a mental problem, because the team trains well. It's just that sometimes you don't find the best way to play.... Things are not going well and we have to fix it soon."

Carlo Ancelotti has no concerns over Kylian Mbappe's start to life at Real Madrid, having failed to score in his first two LaLiga fixtures. 

Mbappe, who joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain in June, has failed to kick on from his debut goal against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup two weeks ago. 

It would be Los Blancos' other summer arrival, Endrick, who stole the show in their last league fixture, scoring on his Bernabeu debut against Real Valladolid.

During that encounter, Mbappe contributed an expected goals (xG) of 0.99 to Madrid's 2.14 total from his three shots on target. 

The Frenchman also recorded the joint-most touches in the opposition box (eight, along with Arda Guler) as well as completing four of his five attempted dribbles.

However, Ancelotti insisted he was not worried by Mbappe's recent run in front of goal, pointing out his last goal for the club came just two weeks ago. 

"His last goal was on August 14th. It has only been two weeks since, that is no reason to worry. Neither we are not worried as a club, nor him," Ancelotti said.

"He is very happy here, delighted, sure he wants to score in the next game. So does Vinicius, who has yet to score this season, and I don't see him worried either.

"(Mbappe) is progressing really well, I see him doing better every day, excited, motivated, training well. He is very humble. I think his adaptation is going really well."

Ancelotti is still seeking the answer to a midfield that brought him so much success in recent years following Toni Kroos' retirement at the end of Euro 2024. 

The Madrid head coach is also trying to fit Mbappe into a new central striker role, while also aiming to keep his star-studded attack happy with their game time. 

"Every year has its own challenge because there are changes in the structure of a team, the system that is implemented," Ancelotti said.

"Last year we also needed time at the start of the season, we needed a late goal to get a result in many games.

"It will take some time until we find our mojo and the best version of ourselves but it's a normal thing.

"I didn't ask Toni Kroos to be Aurelien Tchouameni last year, just as I won't ask Tchouameni to be Kroos. Each player has his own characteristics.

"The team has to adapt to the characteristics that Tchouameni has, which are very important for us."

Mbappe will be looking to break his scoring duck away to Las Palmas on Thursday night as Madrid look to keep pace with rivals Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Carlo Ancelotti insists Real Madrid must be patient with Kylian Mbappe following his lacklustre home debut in the 3-0 win over Real Valladolid.

Mbappe failed to find the net on his first appearance at Santiago Bernabeu since his blockbuster move from Paris Saint-Germain, despite registering joint game-high tallies of three shots on target and eight touches in the opposing penalty box.

Madrid took until the 50th minute to break through against Valladolid courtesy of Federico Valverde's vicious free-kick, while substitutes Brahim Diaz and Endrick climbed off the bench to seal the victory late on.

Mbappe was substituted in the 86th minute, but Ancelotti leapt to the defence of the France captain, who he maintains needs time to gel with his new team-mates.

"Mbappe is a spectacular striker, very quick, he moves very well without the ball," the Italian told reporters at his post-match press conference.

"In this position, he is going to score as he has always scored. He doesn't need to play on the left or in the centre. In the end, he will score goals. Wait and see."

Ancelotti also saluted the impact of his substitutes in securing Madrid's first LaLiga win of the new season.

"The taste of a win is always good. When we win a game, I have to be happy, taking into account the difficulties we had, especially in the first half when we were slow and soft," Ancelotti told a press conference on Sunday.

"We were better after the break, with much more mobility and speed in possession. I am very happy for those who come off the bench and take advantage of the few minutes they have.

"Setting the line-up is always complicated, it bothers me, it makes me a bit sad, even though it's my responsibility. I'm the one who has to choose the 11 players that start the match.

"Bearing in mind that in this period of the season, in the heat, it is expected that players get tired. So, it would be right that when a player is tired, he should raise his hand and ask to be replaced. But in my 40 years in football, it has never happened.

"So, it is up to me, the coach, to pick out the ones I think are tired. I think the players have to be more responsible with that. I say it here because I have said it to them privately. I have a lot of resources to use in this squad."

Carlo Ancelotti criticised his Real Madrid side for having a lack of balance as they started their LaLiga title defence with a 1-1 draw against Mallorca on Sunday. 

Madrid took the lead in the 13th minute through Rodrygo's fine finish, only for Vedat Muriqi to level eight minutes into the second half. 

Ancelotti boasted an attack of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, with the quartet all playing a role in the opening goal of the game. 

But Los Blancos struggled in front of goal, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 0.6 from their 13 shots, compared to their opponents' 0.96. 

Ancelotti bemoaned his side's defensive display, going on to say that his players lost focus after taking an early lead at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. 

"Today I am not happy. I think we could have been done much better," said Ancelotti.

"We need to be more concentrated, work better as a group... It's not a fitness problem, it was mental.

"I don't want to make excuses for anything. We had to do better and show more attitude.

"We can learn a lot from this match, it's a match where you can see clearly where we can end up having problems."

Madrid's draw saw them fail to win their first game of the season for the first time in six campaigns under Ancelotti's stewardship. 

The Italian suggested that Madrid could have easily lost the encounter due to their own mistakes and urged his star-studded squad to learn fast from their blunders.

"We started the game well, we took the lead and we had chances to score the second, but in the second half we lacked balance," Ancelotti said.

"It was a game we could have lost because we didn't have balance. It wasn't a good game.

"We are a very attacking team and defensive balance is a fundamental part of the way we are built.

"We struggled to steal the ball, to press after losing the ball. When we talk about defending, we are talking above all about collective commitment.

"The balance is found with the players thinking about the same thing. When we have to win the ball back we have to think about it all together.

"It's a problem for everyone, not the strikers, the midfielders or the defenders.

"It is a problem of a team that did not understand that this was a key aspect of the match." 

Carlo Ancelotti has said Real Madrid are considering allowing players to take short breaks during the season with concerns about the congested fixture schedule. 

Ancelotti, who led Los Blancos to a record sixth Super Cup triumph against Atalanta on Wednesday, now turns his attention to the new LaLiga season. 

Madrid travel to the Visit Mallorca Estadi to face Mallorca in their opening league encounter as they begin their title defence with Kylian Mbappe in their ranks. 

However, Ancelotti revealed that the club are considering extended breaks away from action during the season due to the pressures of domestic and club football.

"The players need rest, they need holidays and we are thinking about giving individual holidays to the players during the season," Ancelotti said.

"We are thinking about giving in-season breaks, give a week off for a player so he can go and stay with his family, especially international players, who have very little rest because they usually don't get even a day's holiday in international breaks.

"We are assessing it with the medical staff and the physical preparation."

Following their La Liga and Champions League double last season, Ancelotti faces the possibility of winning seven titles during the 2024-25 campaign. 

Los Blancos will compete in LaLiga, the Champions League, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, plus the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the new Club World Cup in the United States. 

Madrid have strengthened with the arrivals of Mbappe and Endrick, but Ancelotti believes the club need to make sacrifices to preserve the health and fitness of their players.

The Italian said he and his staff are already looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, with the 2026 World Cup putting extra demands on international players. 

"At the moment we still don't even know the date (of the Club World Cup), same with the Intercontinental. We are bidding for seven titles but we still don't know when or how," Ancelotti said.

"The 2025-26 season might start earlier because of the World Cup, so we have to plan accordingly starting this season.

"For example, when Vinicius Jr comes back after playing with Brazil, instead of playing in LaLiga, he rests for three or four days, he goes on holiday and then he comes back.

"That's the only way. Normally those players train, even if they don't play. But we're going to take that away, let them do what they want on those days. That's what we're going to do."

Carlo Ancelotti said his Real Madrid players "were suffering" during their record sixth UEFA Super Cup triumph over Atalanta on Wednesday. 

Ancelotti watched on as his side struggled in the opening exchanges, registering just three shots in the first-half with an expected goals (xG) total of 0.38. 

Madrid's best chance in the first 45 minutes saw Rodrygo rattle the crossbar, but a much-improved display after the interval saw Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe strike to secure the win. 

Ancelotti, who drew level with Miguel Munoz as the Madrid coach with the most titles (14), was delighted with the result, but acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter. 

“It is an honour and a privilege to live these nights here," Ancelotti said. "We were suffering, fighting and winning too.

“We suffered a bit in the first half, because Atalanta pressed a lot and play very well defensively. They won more duels than us and we had more difficulties.

"The game opened up a bit in the second half, they felt tired and we had more space. With that space, Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe are very dangerous.”

Ancelotti's success in Warsaw was his fifth in the Super Cup, taking him clear of Pep Guardiola (four), with three of those titles coming with Los Blancos.

But much of the noise surrounded Mbappe's debut, becoming the first Madrid player to score on his competitive debut for the club since Jude Bellingham did so against Athletic Bilbao 12 months ago. 

Mbappe contributed 44 goals and 10 assists in his final season with Paris Saint-Germain and targeted a haul of 50 in his debut season in Madrid, with Ancelotti believing the Frenchman can surpass that total. 

“He has the quality to score a lot of goals, more than 50," Ancelotti said after full-time.

"We have to look for the balance of the team and today we had it, although in the first half the game was difficult. But the team played a great game defensively.”

Madrid now turn their attention to the opening match of their 2024-25 La Liga campaign. Ancelotti and his players head to Son Moix on Sunday, where they will take on Mallorca.

Kylian Mbappe started his Real Madrid career with a goal as Los Blancos beat Europa League holders Atalanta 2-0 in Warsaw, winning the UEFA Super Cup for a record-breaking sixth time.

Mbappe fired into the top-right corner following good work from Jude Bellingham to clinch victory for the Champions League winners after 68 minutes, nine minutes after Federico Valverde had opened the scoring.

The best chance of a tepid first half fell Madrid's way in stoppage time, with Rodrygo rattling the crossbar after taking in Vinicius Junior's delicate outside-of-the-boot pass.

Thibaut Courtois then made a full-stretch save to keep out Mario Pasalic's header shortly after the restart, and Madrid took full advantage of that reprieve by hitting the front just before the hour mark.

Vinicius drove to the byline on the left side of the area before cutting back for Valverde, who could not miss from almost directly beneath the crossbar.

Vinicius was then denied by Juan Musso when one-on-one, and Madrid's newfound swagger resulted in a debut goal for their latest Galactico. Mbappe hammered home after being picked out by Bellingham inside a crowded penalty area.

Mbappe is the first Madrid player to score on his competitive debut for the club since Bellingham did so against Athletic Bilbao 12 months ago, and the first to do so in the Super Cup since Marco Asensio versus Sevilla in 2016.

Data Debrief: Records for Madrid and Ancelotti

Madrid's victory was their sixth in the Super Cup, taking them clear of Milan and rivals Barcelona for the outright most in the competition's history.

Three of those wins have come under Ancelotti (2014, 2022 and 2024), who also oversaw triumphs for Milan in 2003 and 2007. 

His five Super Cup victories are the most of any coach, with Wednesday's win taking him clear of Pep Guardiola (four). 

Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that rumours linking Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior with a move to Saudi Arabia are nothing more than "just speculation". 

Vinicius, who scored 24 goals in all competitions for Real last season, has received interest from the Saudi Pro League, reportedly considering the proposal. 

The Brazilian is currently preparing for Los Blancos' UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta on Wednesday, with Ancelotti quick to dismiss reports of a departure. 

"There isn't anything at all," Ancelotti said on Tuesday. "There's just speculation, at this time in the market. There's just speculation, nothing else."

Vinicius helped Real claim a domestic double last year, winning his third La Liga title and scoring in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund. 

The 24-year-old has the chance to win a 13th major honour in his sixth year as a Madrid player on Wednesday, with Ancelotti expecting him to be on top form in Warsaw.

"Of course speculation doesn't affect [Vinicius]," Ancelotti continued. "He's here, he wants to be here. He wants to do his best and help Real Madrid."

Ancelotti also shrugged off suggestions that Madrid's sporting project was under threat from Saudi Arabia's growing investment in the sport. 

The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar have all made the move to the Middle East over the past two years, with many other high-profile names following suit. 

"No, absolutely not," Ancelotti said. "We have our project and we continue in that. We have a squad of great quality.

"We've lost important players and we've brought in others who have to adapt.

"We have to work to maintain the atmosphere, and the commitment, which was the key last year."

Carlo Ancelotti remained coy when asked about the chances of Kylian Mbappe making his Real Madrid debut in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

Madrid won the Champions League by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in June to set up a meeting with Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw.

Ancelotti had previously said after a pre-season friendly that he planned on using players who had won the trophy for the Super Cup match.

Mbappe joined as a free agent in June and has now started training with the team following his extended break due to France's involvement in Euro 2024.

And though Ancelotti remained tight-lipped about how Mbappe could be used, he did not rule out a first appearance for the Frenchman in a Madrid shirt.

"Mbappe has arrived well, just like the other players who joined last week," Ancelotti said in his press conference on Tuesday.

"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."

Madrid are aiming to win the Super Cup for a record sixth time, leapfrogging Barcelona and AC Milan, who have also both won five.

They are also chasing history once again this season with seven titles available for the first time due to FIFA's new Intercontinental Cup.

"As always, we're starting the season with all the excitement and desire," Ancelotti added.

"It's the first title of a season that is going to be very demanding but can also be very successful. We want to start it well. We are aware of the difficulties, but I see the team in good shape, motivated to play a great game." 

Carlo Ancelotti insisted "nothing changes" for Jude Bellingham despite Kylian Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid.

Mbappe officially completed his long-awaited move to Madrid in July, after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.

However, the 25-year-old's signing has raised some question marks over how Ancelotti fits his star attackers into the side.

One of those doubts is over Bellingham, who thrived in an attacking role at the tip of a midfield diamond last season, scoring 23 goals.

But while Madrid's system may change, Bellingham's importance to the team will not, says Ancelotti.

"Nothing changes for him. Nothing changes," he told reporters.

"The first season, he surprised a lot, because he showed fantastic quality, a really mature guy.

"The next season will not be different. He is going to be one of the best players that we have, supporting the team a lot with his quality."

Bellingham has not yet returned to Madrid's camp following his exploits with England at Euro 2024, with the 21-year-old having scored twice as the Three Lions reached the final, which they lost 2-1 to Spain.

And Ancelotti was surprised that Bellingham, and England in general, came in for some criticism for the performances in Germany.

"This is an opinion but Bellingham played really well at the Euros," said the Italian.

"England played really well, they reached the final and were close to winning it."

Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Barcelona over the weekend, face Chelsea in a pre-season friendly this week.

One Chelsea player who lined up for Madrid last term was goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined on loan as cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Ancelotti, though, does not think Arrizabalaga will be returning to the Santiago Bernabeu.

He said: "In that position, we are covered.

"Kepa did really well last season. We were really happy to have him here, but I don't know what’s going to happen this season. We love him."

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has suggested he will not join another club once his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu comes to an end.

Ancelotti is three years into his second stint at Madrid, and he has led Los Blancos to a swathe of success since re-joining the Spanish giants from Everton.

Madrid have won LaLiga and the Champions League twice each since 2021, with Ancelotti the first coach to win the latter trophy on five occasions.

The 65-year-old, who had been linked with the Brazil job, signed fresh terms with Madrid to extend his stay until the end of the 2025-26 season.

And he does not foresee himself taking up another club job, while he also hinted international coaching may not be for him either.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, as reported by The Athletic, Ancelotti said: "I think it will be my last club, I have to say.

"If there would be an opportunity for a national team, I don't know. I’m not so excited to be in a national team because of the fact that I would lose what I like most, the day-by-day [training].

"The day-by-day I like. To be here, to prepare the training, to talk to the players, to prepare the games.

"This is my 29th season as a coach. It's true that I have won a lot but imagine the number of titles I lost. I lost a lot."

Ancelotti has coached in each of Europe's top five leagues, though he admitted finding it difficult to fully adapt to life in Germany when he was in charge of Bayern Munich.

"I had luck, I went to the best team in England, in Spain, in Germany. But I was able to adapt to the culture," he said.

"I tried to learn the languages. I learned English, Spanish, French; I was not able to learn German, it's impossible — not difficult, impossible!"

Madrid take on rivals Barcelona in a friendly in the United States on Saturday. They start their LaLiga title defence against Real Mallorca on August 18, though before that they face Atalanta in the Super Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti was impressed by Endrick during his Real Madrid debut despite losing 1-0 to Milan in Chicago on Wednesday.

Samuel Chukwueze scored the winner for the Rossoneri, finishing off a wonderful team move in the second half, making it two wins from two under new manager Paulo Fonseca.

Madrid are without big stars Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo after their international exploits, leaving the way for Endrick to get his first minutes for Los Blancos.

The 18-year-old played the first half, and created one chance, though he did not manage a single shot or touch in the box.

Ancelotti was pleased with what he saw from his new signing though, particularly his skill.

"He [Endrick] is someone who has something truly special," Ancelotti said.

"He's very fast, very dangerous in tight spaces, has the ability to turn with speed in little space, very agile in getting himself free and all these qualities he has means he's a great talent. It's rare to see a player with these types of characteristics."

It was Madrid's first run-out in pre-season as they struggled to make an impact in the final third.

They managed just two shots on target, having eight overall, but Ancelotti was happy with what he saw as his starting point for the season.

"We competed, we fought, we did some good things," Ancelotti added. "The first game of the pre-season with a lot of youngsters, the important thing was to compete, which we did for the whole game.

"There were some good moments and others we could improve on, but that's normal."

Madrid's next game is against Barcelona in New Jersey on Saturday, while Milan will also take on La Blaugrana next week.