Maybe Ancelotti was right about not needing Mbappe…

Real Madrid were coming off the back of a dubious pre-season in which they had offered serious doubts about their ability to overcome the absence of Karim Benzema. Results were not going their way and, to make matters worse, Courtois picked up a serious injury just hours before the start of La Liga. Los Blancos were without two of their key players in an atypical summer. And in Madrid, everyone was calling for Mbappe, while Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated that he is not needed. And San Mames proved him right.

It was not an easy place to go to make their debut in the championship and the coach was brave to use the youngsters in midfield. It seems clear that Carlo Ancelotti is sure that a change of cycle has begun. And that Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga and company have become the first-choice players. Those and the two Brazilians up front, who continue to be decisive. The brave gamble paid off.

Time will tell if Madrid can make do with what they have. They will certainly have to sign a goalkeeper and it remains to be seen how serious Militao's injury is, but Ancelotti is convinced that, for now, Mbappe is not needed. These three points against Athletic could put him a little further away for this summer. Because Florentino is clear that it is not healthy to pay 200 million if in 12 months he can have him for free, and Ancelotti seems to think so too.