体坛英语新闻：Ancelotti: Real Madrid favorites for Supercup, but no over-confidence

MADRID, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti accepts the ticket of favorites from the European Supercup against fellow Spaniards, Sevilla, but insists his side of international superstars will have to work hard if they want to kick off the new season with a trophy.

The European Supercup pits the winners of the Champions League against the Europa League Champions and after lifting their 10th Champions League title last spring, as well as signing players such as Keylor Navas, James Rodriguez and Tony Kroos, Real Madrid are expected to defeat Sevilla in Cardiff on Tuesday night, especially after the difference in economic power between the two clubs was made clear when Sevilla sold their star player, Ivan Rakitic to Barcelona during the World Cup.

Nevertheless, in an interview given to UEFA, the experienced Ancelotti said that his side must beware of Sevilla.

"When you play a final, you prepare in order to win it, but it will be very difficult," said Ancelotti, who added that with the loss of Rakitic, said Sevilla had, "changed quite a bit this year. Now they are a bit of an unknown in various aspects, because they have lost some key players and brought in others."

"Sevilla did very well last season. They won the Europa League with a squad that worked together well and were worthy champions," he said.

The Italian was worried that with several players such as Kroos, Angel Di Maria and James only starting training on August 5, that was a factor that worked against Real Madrid.

"It is very little time," he said, adding that it would not be an excuse in case of defeat.

The new signings means Real Madrid probably have a better squad than last season and have the chance of adding the European and Spanish Sueprcups as well as the World Club Championship to their trophy cabinet this season.

"We always want to improve the history of this club," said Ancelotti, who highlighted that so far no club has been able to defend the Champions League title in its current format, although he also had a warning for Madrid's rivals.

"The players are more confident thanks to their recent success," he concluded.