Real Madrid motivated ahead of Frankfurt Super Cup clash – Sporting Life

Abraham Smith

Real Madrid are determined not to be toppled from the top of European football this season as they prepare to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup in Helsinki on Wednesday.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, the only coach to win the Champions League four times, said his side’s 1-0 win over Liverpool in last season’s final made him “feel that nobody should ever take your place”.

“And that’s a pretty strong motivation to keep winning,” he said in an interview with UEFA.com.

Ancelotti returned for a second spell as Real Madrid manager before last season, guiding them to their 35th Spanish title.

However, Real really impressed in Europe, where he enjoyed comeback victories over Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City before defeating the heavily favored Reds in the final.

“All the comebacks we’ve made have been made in our stadium thanks to the push that came from the stands. Always believe, never give up. After all, we played against very strong teams. It was inevitable that we would suffer,” he said.

The Italy manager said he saw echoes of Real’s fighting spirit in underdog opponents Frankfurt and was aware not to take last season’s Europa League winners lightly.

“Eintracht achieved something special last year because they weren’t among the favourites,” added Ancelotti, whose team recently returned from a preparatory tour in the USA.

Wednesday’s game takes place at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium, where Frankfurt will make their Super Cup debut in their first competitive match against Madrid since the legendary 1960 European Cup final, which the Spanish giants won 7-3.

Real will be in the Super Cup for the eighth time and have won the cup four times.

Ancelotti himself is unbeaten in the Supercup final. He won twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and in 2014 with Real.

– “More disadvantages” for Real –

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said the Germans would not be intimidated against Real Madrid

While Real will face a side who qualified for the final by winning their first European trophy in 42 years, Ancelotti said Frankfurt have the advantage ahead of Wednesday’s clash in Helsinki.

“We have a few more disadvantages than Eintracht, who start the season earlier, but we will play to win,” he said.

Although Madrid’s La Liga season doesn’t start until Sunday when they take on newly promoted Almeria, Frankfurt fans may be wondering what advantage they have after Friday’s 6-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga season opener.

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp said his side will not be overwhelmed against Madrid and are enjoying the experience ahead of their first Champions League season this year.

They beat Barcelona en route to victory in last season’s Europa League and defeated Rangers on penalties in the final in Seville.

“We want to be a team that is difficult to play against, that fights and never gives up. Of course we have respect, but not fear,” said the former PSG goalkeeper in an interview published on Sunday on Eintracht Frankfurt’s website.

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Trapp, who is one of only a few players with Champions League experience in Eintracht’s ranks alongside former Bayern and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mario Goetze, said his side have earned their place in the season-opening showpiece.

“Playing in the Super Cup means you’ve been successful, you deserve it and you’ve done a good job. To have the opportunity to win a trophy against this club (Madrid) at this stage of the season – it doesn’t get any better.”

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