Kylian Mbappé’s Form Drought: Ancelotti’s Confidence and the Road Ahead
It’s not every day that you hear Kylian Mbappé, one of the most electrifying talents in world football, being described as “out of form.” Yet, here we are. The French superstar, now donning the iconic white of Real Madrid, has found himself in an uncharacteristic scoring slump, and the football world is buzzing with questions. But if there’s one person who isn’t worried, it’s Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
Mbappé has managed just one goal in his last seven appearances for Los Blancos, a stat that feels almost surreal for a player of his caliber. To make matters worse, he’s gone four consecutive matches without finding the back of the net, including high-profile clashes against Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Osasuna. For a player who was scoring freely earlier this season—six goals in five games in September—this dry spell has raised eyebrows.
Backing from the Boss
Despite the criticism and mounting pressure, Ancelotti remains steadfast in his belief that Mbappé will bounce back. Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, the Italian manager said, “[Mbappé] has had the chance to train, and he’s trained well. His condition has improved, and let’s hope tomorrow he can show all his qualities, which are a lot.”
Mbappé’s recent struggles have led to speculation about his role in the team. Some critics have suggested that he might be more effective playing on the left wing rather than through the middle. However, Ancelotti dismissed the idea that Mbappé has requested a specific position, saying, “Kylian has never asked me to play in a certain position on the pitch. He and Vinícius [Junior] don’t have fixed positions on the pitch; they can switch position depending on the circumstances in the game.”
Training and Tactics
Interestingly, Ancelotti also denied that Mbappé has needed extra training to adjust to Madrid’s system. “We’ve been focused more on the defense, with Raul [Asencio] and [Ferland] Mendy, trying some right-backs,” he explained. “Does Mbappé need offensive work? I don’t think so. I’m not going to show him! He can show me how a forward should work.”
It’s clear that Ancelotti has full faith in his star forward, even as Madrid prepares for a crucial stretch of games. First up is an away match against Leganés on Sunday, followed by a must-win Champions League tie against Liverpool. Madrid currently sits in 18th place in the UCL table, making the Liverpool clash a do-or-die situation.
Every Great Forward Has a Slump
For those quick to criticize, Ancelotti offered a reminder that even the best players go through rough patches. “Every great forward has had a bad run; there are moments when they aren’t scoring,” he said. “[Mbappé] looks motivated and happy in training with his teammates. I only see that. The run will end sooner or later. I’m convinced he’ll have a good game tomorrow; it’s just a matter of time.”
It’s worth noting that Mbappé’s absence from the French national team during the international break has also been a talking point. France coach Didier Deschamps opted to leave him out of the squad, allowing Mbappé to stay in Madrid and focus on training. While some might see this as a snub, it could very well be a blessing in disguise, giving the forward a chance to reset and recharge.
Defensive Woes Add to Madrid’s Challenges
As if Mbappé’s form wasn’t enough of a concern, Madrid is also dealing with a defensive injury crisis. Right-back options Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez are both unavailable, leaving Ancelotti to consider alternative solutions. One possibility is using Federico Valverde in the position, though the coach remained tight-lipped about his plans. “It’s an option,” he said. “We’ve tried different options during the break, and tomorrow I’ll try to choose the best option possible for the team.”
What’s Next for Mbappé?
So, what can we expect from Mbappé in the coming weeks? If history is any indication, it’s only a matter of time before he starts lighting up the scoreboard again. Slumps happen, even to the best, and the true measure of a player is how they respond. With Ancelotti’s unwavering support and a chance to prove himself against Leganés, Mbappé has the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters.
For now, all eyes will be on Sunday’s game. Will this be the moment Mbappé breaks free from his scoring drought? One thing’s for sure: the football world will be watching.
- Key Stats: Mbappé has scored just one goal in his last seven Madrid appearances.
- Upcoming Matches: Real Madrid faces Leganés in LaLiga on Sunday and Liverpool in the Champions League midweek.
- Manager’s Take: Ancelotti remains confident in Mbappé’s abilities and believes the slump will end soon.
Originally Written by: Unknown
