Ancelotti shows Mbappe the love and urges patience after Madrid star's Anfield nightmare
Reuters with editing from Stats Perform
November 28, 2024 16:31 MYT
November 28, 2024 16:31 MYT
Carlo Ancelotti insists Kylian Mbappe simply needs time and support to settle in at Real Madrid.
Mbappe turned in another subdued and under-par display as Madrid lost 2-0 to in-form Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.
The France star missed a penalty in the second half, and had just one other shot as Los Blancos were ultimately well beaten.
It has been a poor start to Mbappe's Madrid career by the 25-year-old's remarkable standards, but Ancelotti is willing to show him the love.
"It's a difficult moment for him, we've got to support him and give him our love, he'll soon be fine," Ancelotti said.
"It could be a lack of confidence maybe. Sometimes you have moments when things aren’t quite working out for you. But you get through these moments.
"People miss penalties, it happens a lot. You can't put too much grief on him for that.
"He works hard, he's got to keep working hard and fighting. You get through these moments. Things just aren't running for him at the moment.
"We've got be patient. He's an extraordinary player."
3 - Real Madrid are the first reigning Champions League winners to lose three games in the group stage after winning the title. Setback. pic.twitter.com/Qrq57ZpXVA — OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 27, 2024
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Mbappe has scored nine goals across all competitions for Madrid this season, underperforming his 12.7 expected goals (xG).
His performance summed up a disjointed display from Los Blancos, as they became the first reigning Champions League winners to lose three games in the group stage after winning the title.
"I think that to be totally honest with you, it was a fair result," Ancelotti added, having seen his side accumulate just 0.4 xG from open play at Anfield, where goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo saw Liverpool make it five wins from five in Europe under Arne Slot.
"[Liverpool] have a really good dynamic at the moment, they are switched on, they play with a high intensity."
Even though Madrid are 24th in the 36-team league, and in danger of missing out on the knockout phase, Ancelotti was confident their form would pick up sufficiently.
"I think this game wasn't a decisive game," he said. "We'll be there, we’ll be competing in the knockout phase, like in previous years."