Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his support for Kylian Mbappe after the French forward was unable to find the net in his La Liga appearances for Real Madrid. Following a 1-1 draw in their first La Liga match, Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory against Valladolid. Federico Valverde opened the scoring in the 50th minute, with Brahim Diaz adding a second in the 88th minute and Endrick sealing the win with a goal in the 96th minute. Despite being in the spotlight once more, Mbappe was unable to score, having four attempts on goal with only one shot on target. He was substituted in the 87th minute, and his replacement, 18-year-old Endrick, managed to score Madrid’s third goal.
During the match at the Santiago Bernabeu, Mbappe, playing in the center-forward position, faced challenges in breaking his goal drought. However, Ancelotti remained optimistic about the Frenchman’s abilities. In a post-match press conference, Ancelotti emphasized that Mbappe is not hindered by his role as a striker, describing him as an “exceptional forward” who excels at creating space and moving without the ball. Ancelotti reassured fans that Mbappe will soon find his scoring form, regardless of his position on the field.
Real Madrid’s next La Liga fixture is against Las Palmas on Thursday, where Mbappe will aim to open his scoring account for the club. The French forward joined Real Madrid on a five-year contract after leaving PSG as a free agent. His much-anticipated move to Madrid, finalized just days after the club’s Champions League victory in 2023-24, marked the end of a prolonged transfer saga. Wearing the number 9 shirt, Mbappe was presented to 80,000 spectators on July 16, a turnout reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo’s presentation in 2009.
Reflecting on the team’s win, Ancelotti expressed his satisfaction, stating that a victory always brings a sense of joy, especially considering the challenges faced in the first half. He praised the team’s improved performance in the second half, noting their increased speed and movement in possession. Ancelotti also acknowledged the difficulty in selecting the starting eleven, admitting that it’s a challenging task that often leaves him feeling conflicted.
