Carlo Ancelotti has revealed what Kylian Mbappe needs to do if he is to rediscover his best form after a below par performance against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The Reds took apart Real Madrid in what was at times a truly devastating performance in front of their home fans, with Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo on target in a dramatic Champions League clash.
Both sides saw penalties awarded, and both missed from 12 yards – with Mbappe and Mohamed Salah failing to capitalise, with Caoimhin Kelleher saving for the former and the post denying a wayward attempt from the latter.
The French superstar though struggled to truly have an impact on the game; his passing was frequently off target and his blistering pace and writhing runs that have made him one of the best in the world were lacking their regular potency.
It comes as the Les Bleus skipper – who was dropped from Didier Deschamps’ most recent squad – endures a tricky start to life in Spanish capital, with only two goals since the end of September.
Yet Ancelotti has offered a piece of advice for his beleaguered forward, who is yet to hit the heights the world knows he is capable of at the Bernabeu.
‘It has happened many times that forwards have a hard time scoring. There is a medicine which is to be patient,’ the Italian boss revealed after the bruising defeat by Liverpool.
‘It is a difficult moment for him, especially after missing the penalty. Everyone has to support him.’
He added: ‘He may be a bit lacking in confidence. When things don’t go your way, the idea you have to have is to play simple.
‘It’s a bit like this moment, but you can’t judge him for missing a penalty. All players miss penalties. He has to keep working well. We have to be patient because he’s an extraordinary player.’
Mbappe had looked set to hit the ground running in Madrid, and scored five goals in four LaLiga games in September.
There had been plenty of speculation as to how Ancelotti would crowbar in Mbappe with the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham already established in his side.
Mbappe has previously openly admitted he does not like playing through the middle, preferring to cut in off the left, but with no out-and-out No 9 in the first team as such, he has filled that role at Los Blancos, with Vinicius Jnr playing out on the flank.
But for a player with a famed lethal touch in front of goal, Mbappe has struggled to fully come to terms with his role in the side, and his profligacy on Wednesday will only increase the scrutiny, but Ancelotti was adamant that he retained the backing ‘of everyone’.
‘Like the others, he fought, he competed, he didn’t get many shots right, he missed the penalty and it’s going to be a difficult moment, but he has the support of everyone,’ Ancelotti continued.
‘Missing a penalty in a game like that, the player is a little disappointed, but he has to look forward.’
After losing to Liverpool, Real Madrid – the record Champions League winners and holders of the trophy – find themselves in 24th spot in the competition.
With just two wins from five, they run the risk of not even qualifying for the play-offs, and must return to the imperious continental conquerors that they have historically proven to be if they are to have a chance of further defending their European crown.
As such, a return to form for arguably the best player in the world over the last few seasons could not come at a better time for Ancelotti and Co.
