Kylian Mbappé has been struggling for several months, and this has raised growing concerns. Carlo Ancelotti, his coach at Real Madrid, openly discussed the decision he might make regarding the French forward during a press conference on Friday.
Since joining the club, Mbappé has struggled to rediscover the form that once made him a prolific goal scorer. This season, he has shown a level far removed from what fans were accustomed to. The situation worsened after Vinicius Jr.’s injury. In the Brazilian winger’s absence, Real Madrid has lost two of their last three matches, which has intensified the criticism directed at Mbappé, who has failed to find the net and missed two crucial penalties.
Tensions Rising Ahead of Girona Match
The situation reached a peak last Wednesday following a surprising 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés, where Mbappé missed another decisive penalty. According to Marca, some players in the Madrid dressing room have begun to doubt him, and there are calls for him to no longer take penalty kicks.
Ancelotti Considers Bench Option for Mbappé
Asked about the situation during his press conference ahead of the Girona match, Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Mbappé is going through a tough period. While he continues to back the player, the Italian coach has not ruled out the possibility of starting Mbappé on the bench in upcoming matches. This decision could also be linked to the need for squad rotation due to a busy schedule, especially with the upcoming Club World Cup. Ancelotti hopes to have Mbappé in top form for important fixtures ahead.
Ancelotti Offers Reassurance to Mbappé
“Mbappé is aware of the situation, he spoke after the match. We are behind him. He knows he’s not at his best. Should he play more or less? That needs to be analyzed. I think he’s improved in terms of intensity and speed, but that doesn’t mean he has to start every game. Sometimes, rest can also be beneficial,” explained Carlo Ancelotti.
