Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has come to the defense of star forward Kylian Mbappe following criticism over his inconsistent performances since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain this summer. While Mbappe has scored seven goals in La Liga, his impact in the Champions League has been limited, with just one goal in five appearances.
The 25-year-old France captain faced a challenging outing on Wednesday, where he was effectively neutralized by Liverpool’s 21-year-old defender Conor Bradley in Real’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield. The loss leaves Real Madrid in a precarious position, clinging to the competition’s final playoff spot after three losses in five group-stage matches.
Real Madrid’s form has dipped significantly, with the team losing three of their last five matches across all competitions. This slump comes ahead of Sunday’s local derby against Getafe. Reports suggest that Ancelotti and club president Florentino Perez are set to hold face-to-face crisis talks to address the situation.
Speaking at a pre-match news conference on Saturday, Ancelotti acknowledged the team’s challenges but expressed confidence in their ability to rebound.
“Worried? Just enough, because I prefer to handle the situation than worrying about it, and I’m certain that we’re going to fix this, like we’ve always done,” Ancelotti said.
Regarding Mbappe’s performance, the Italian coach defended the forward, stating that while there is room for improvement, his contributions to the team have been significant.
The derby against Getafe is a crucial opportunity for Real Madrid to regain momentum as they navigate a demanding schedule. Ancelotti and his squad will need a collective effort to steady the ship and reignite their Champions League and domestic campaigns.
For Real Madrid and their fans, the focus now shifts to Sunday’s clash, with hopes pinned on a strong response from the team and their marquee signing, Kylian Mbappe.
![](https://amnewsworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ami-banner.png"/)
