Carlo Ancelotti Defends Kylian Mbappé Amid Real Madrid’s Struggles
Real Madrid’s season has been anything but smooth sailing, and when a team of their caliber stumbles, the spotlight inevitably falls on its biggest stars. Right now, that means Kylian Mbappé. But head coach Carlo Ancelotti isn’t having any of it. He’s made it clear that the team’s struggles aren’t solely on the shoulders of the French superstar, saying, “It’s a collective problem, not an individual one.”
Let’s break it down. Mbappé, who joined Real Madrid this season with sky-high expectations, has found himself in a bit of a slump. The numbers don’t lie: just two goals in his last nine games for Los Blancos. During this stretch, Madrid has suffered defeats to Lille, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Liverpool. Ouch. And if that wasn’t enough, Mbappé missed a crucial penalty in Madrid’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday. Talk about a rough patch.
But Ancelotti isn’t pointing fingers. In a press conference ahead of Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Getafe, he emphasized the need for everyone to step up. “The idea is to try to find the best version of ourselves: from him, from myself, from the other players,” Ancelotti said. He also reminded everyone that Mbappé is still adapting to life in Madrid, noting that the forward has already scored eight goals and contributed with assists. “We can all do better,” he added.
Mbappé’s Mentality Under Scrutiny
Critics have been quick to question Mbappé’s mindset, but Ancelotti was quick to shut down any talk of the player being in a bad place mentally. “[Mbappé] isn’t depressed, he’s aware that he has to do better,” the coach said. “Many of my players have missed penalties. We have to continue to support and help. It’s a collective problem and not an individual one.”
Despite the recent struggles, Real Madrid isn’t in a terrible spot in LaLiga. They’re still within striking distance of league leaders Barcelona, sitting just four points behind with a game in hand. So, while the situation isn’t ideal, it’s far from a disaster.
Injuries Adding to Madrid’s Woes
It’s not just Mbappé’s form that’s been a challenge for Madrid. The team has been hit hard by injuries, losing key players like Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão for the season. To make matters worse, Vinícius Júnior is sidelined for around three weeks. These absences have undoubtedly made life tougher for Ancelotti and his squad.
When asked about his own feelings on the team’s struggles, Ancelotti didn’t shy away from taking some responsibility. “I’m like Mbappé. I am giving everything to get the best version of myself,” he said. “The results say that I haven’t been able to find the best version of myself. I’m not happy, but I am convinced that we are going to fix it.”
January Transfer Window: A Solution?
With the January transfer window approaching, some fans might be hoping for reinforcements to help turn things around. However, Ancelotti isn’t ready to hit the panic button just yet. “I think it’s a waste of time to think about signing players now,” he said. “We’ll have 40 days to think about it. Things can change. [David] Alaba is doing very well and will be back soon.”
Sources have told ESPN that Madrid is considering strengthening their defense, but there are concerns about the quality of players available in January. For now, it seems the focus will remain on getting the most out of the current squad.
Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappé has scored just two goals in his last nine games for Real Madrid.
- Carlo Ancelotti insists the team’s struggles are a collective issue, not an individual one.
- Real Madrid is dealing with an injury crisis, with key players like Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão out for the season.
- Despite their poor form, Madrid is still within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, with a game in hand.
- Ancelotti isn’t focused on the January transfer window yet, preferring to work with the current squad.
So, what’s next for Real Madrid and Mbappé? The pressure is on, but if there’s one thing we know about this club, it’s that they thrive under the spotlight. Whether it’s finding their form in LaLiga or making a statement in the Champions League, the next few weeks will be crucial. And for Mbappé, it’s all about silencing the critics and proving why he’s one of the best in the world.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland
