Real Madrid begins defense of LaLiga: Ancelotti warns of challenges and obsession with titles

With the taste of winning the UEFA Super Cup still fresh in their mouths, Real Madrid are already preparing to face what could be one of the most challenging seasons in their history. Carlo Ancelotti, always with the calm air of someone who has won everything in soccer, knows that the challenge ahead is not for the faint-hearted. The defense of the LaLiga title begins now, and the first obstacle is Mallorca. Yes, Mallorca, who have never been easy opponents, especially under a new coach who, according to Ancelotti, is “experienced and very competent.”

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The season has barely started, but at Real Madrid there's no such thing as a warm-up. Here, it's game by game, with the same intensity and pressure as if it were a championship final. And we're talking about a calendar that can include up to seven titles up for grabs. The question is: can you win it all? Ancelotti is pragmatic and nips any over-excitement in the bud. “Nobody here is talking about winning seven titles,” he says, with the firmness of someone who prefers to avoid any atmosphere of oba-oba. The focus is on the next game, the next battle. Because at Real, every game is a battle, whether it's against Barcelona or the humblest of LaLiga clubs.

Rodrygo, one of the highlights of the squad, showed last season that he has more to offer than just dribbling and beautiful goals. In the game against Atalanta, for example, when Ancelotti changed the formation to a 4-4-2, the Brazilian also shone in defense. “He did that very well and the data shows it,” said the coach, stressing the importance of teamwork. At Real Madrid, every player has a role to play and there's no room for vanity. It's the team that wins, and it's the team that loses. “I'll never tell a player how many goals he has to score,” says Ancelotti.

Another player who has caught the eye is Jude Bellingham. The young Englishman continues to be a key part of the Italian's formation, playing on the left side of midfield, but with the freedom to help out on the ball and, of course, to do what he does best: attack. “I still need to assess the team for tomorrow, I might make a few changes or I might not,” said the coach, always with that hint of mystery that leaves the press and fans wondering.

If the team is settled on the pitch, off it Ancelotti has to deal with the pressure and expectations of a fan base accustomed to winning. The adaptation of Kylian Mbappé, one of the biggest signings of the season, is one of the points of attention. “Mbappé is an extraordinary talent and we have to help him adapt as quickly as possible,” he said.

But it's not just the present that worries Ancelotti. The future, with an insane schedule that could include the World Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, is also on the radar. The coach is already thinking about strategies to keep the squad fresh and competitive throughout the season. “We're thinking of giving them individual vacations during the season, so they can recover,” he reveals. Sound crazy? Maybe. But in modern soccer, where games are played every three days, any detail can make the difference between glory and failure.

And in the midst of all this, Ancelotti still finds time to joke that his “honeymoon” with Real Madrid is the longest in history. “Everything is still the same, and I'm very happy,” he says, with that characteristic smile. But don't be fooled: behind this peace of mind is a coach who knows exactly what he wants and how to get it.

When asked if Real Madrid are favorites to win the LaLiga title, Ancelotti doesn't know. “Favorite or not, we'll have to fight against all the teams,” he replied, making it clear that the road to another title will be arduous. But if there's one thing the coach knows, it's that Real Madrid, with all their tradition and quality, never enter a competition as supporting players.

The season starts now, and with it comes the promise of excitement, drama and, of course, many titles at stake. Ancelotti, as always, will be there, on the bench, orchestrating every move with the precision of someone who has taken Real Madrid to the top before and is determined to do it again. After all, at the Merengue club, history never stops being written, and Ancelotti is one of its greatest authors.