Carlo Ancelotti Defends Mbappé After Missed Penalty in Real Madrid’s Loss to Liverpool
It was a night to forget for Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid as they fell 2-0 to Liverpool in a crucial Champions League clash at Anfield on Wednesday. The French superstar, who has been struggling to find his form lately, missed a golden opportunity to level the game with a penalty in the 61st minute. Instead, Liverpool’s goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher came up with a massive save, leaving Mbappé and Madrid reeling.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room during his post-match press conference. “It happens a lot with forwards; there are times when it’s hard for them to score,” Ancelotti said. “There’s a cure, and it’s patience. It’s a difficult moment for him, above all today, with the missed penalty. Everyone has to support him.”
Mbappé’s struggles have been evident. The forward has managed just two goals in his past nine games across all competitions for Madrid and has failed to score in their last four Champions League matches. For a player of his caliber, these numbers are far from what fans and the club expect.
Missed Opportunities Define the Match
The game itself was a tale of missed chances for both sides. Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring, putting the home side ahead before Mbappé’s missed penalty could have changed the momentum. Even Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah missed a penalty of his own, but Cody Gakpo made sure to seal the deal with a header that doubled Liverpool’s lead.
With this win, Liverpool now sits atop the Champions League table, while Real Madrid finds themselves in a precarious 24th place. Ancelotti admitted that the result was fair, saying, “To be honest, it’s the right result. Liverpool deserved to win, they’re in good form. We did well in the first half, our plan went well. … The team competed until the penalty.”
Teammates Rally Around Mbappé
Despite the criticism, Mbappé’s teammates have been quick to defend him. Luka Modric, one of Madrid’s most experienced players, told Movistar, “He looks good to us, he’s training well, he’s confident. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don’t. Today it didn’t, above all with the penalty, but we believe in him. Kylian will do what’s expected of him, for sure.”
Substitute Dani Ceballos echoed similar sentiments, saying, “[Mbappé] isn’t scoring the goals he’d like to. We have to wait for him. It isn’t easy coming to a club like Real Madrid. I think he’ll do a lot for this club, and this team.”
Injuries Add to Madrid’s Woes
As if the loss wasn’t enough, Real Madrid also suffered a setback with Eduardo Camavinga being substituted in the 56th minute due to a muscular injury in his left leg. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois later revealed, “It could be a strain, he felt something, and that’s two or three weeks at least.”
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Kylian Mbappé’s struggles: The French forward has scored just two goals in his last nine games and has gone four Champions League matches without finding the net.
- Liverpool’s dominance: The Reds now sit atop the Champions League table, showcasing their strong form.
- Missed penalties: Both Mbappé and Salah missed penalties, but Liverpool capitalized on their chances to secure the win.
- Injury concerns: Eduardo Camavinga’s muscular injury could sideline him for at least two to three weeks.
For Real Madrid, the road ahead looks challenging. With Mbappé struggling to find his rhythm and injuries piling up, the team will need to regroup quickly if they hope to turn their season around. As for Liverpool, this victory solidifies their position as one of the top contenders in the Champions League this season.
While Ancelotti remains optimistic about Mbappé’s ability to bounce back, the pressure is undoubtedly mounting. “He has to work, keep fighting, and the moment will pass,” Ancelotti said. For Madrid fans, the hope is that the moment passes sooner rather than later.
Originally Written by: N/A
