Ancelotti Confident in Mbappé’s Return to Form Amidst Goal Drought

Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, has expressed confidence that star forward Kylian Mbappé will soon end his goal-scoring drought. Mbappé, who joined the Spanish club in the summer, has managed only a single goal in his last seven appearances for Real Madrid. His most recent goal was during the team’s 2-1 victory against RC Celta de Vigo on October 19. Despite this, Ancelotti remains optimistic about Mbappé’s form, especially ahead of their LaLiga match against Leganés.

«[Mbappé] has had the chance to train, and he’s trained well,» Ancelotti stated during a news conference on Saturday. «His condition has improved, and let’s hope tomorrow he can show all his qualities, which are a lot.»

Critics have suggested that Mbappé’s position on the field is impacting his performance. The forward, who initially started the season strong with six goals in five matches in September, has been playing more centrally to accommodate Brazilian winger Vinícius Junior. Ancelotti emphasized the fluid nature of their positions, explaining, «Kylian has never asked me to play in a certain position on the pitch. He and Vinícius [Junior] don’t have fixed positions on the pitch, they can switch position depending on the circumstances in the game.»

Ancelotti dismissed concerns about the forward needing to adjust his playing style when asked if Mbappé required additional training. «Does Mbappé need offensive work? I don’t think so,» he stated. «I’m not going to show him! He can show me how a forward should work.»

Real Madrid, currently facing a challenging phase in the Champions League, with only one game left to secure their position in the UCL table, is also dealing with a defensive injury crisis. Following a demanding schedule and a string of injuries to key players, the team is struggling with a lack of options, particularly in the right-back position. Ancelotti is considering various strategies to address these defensive issues ahead of the upcoming matches.

Mbappé’s absence from France’s recent UEFA Nations League squads under coach Didier Deschamps has added to speculations regarding his form and mental state. Nonetheless, Ancelotti was quick to refute any claims that the forward is facing off-field issues. «I don’t think so, I see him happy and happy to be here,» he mentioned to the press. «Speculating on this seems too ugly to me.»

With Real Madrid’s upcoming fixture against Leganés and a crucial Champions League match on the horizon, Ancelotti is hopeful that Mbappé will soon regain his form, stating, «I’m convinced he’ll have a good game tomorrow, it’s just a matter of time.»