Ancelotti: “The problem is not Mbappé, it’s the team”

Kylian Mbappé‘s worrying form has been a topic for a while now and the French striker was back in the headlines last week for his discreet display against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Carlo Ancelotti has been asked why he thinks the player is struggling many times during his dealings with the media and the Real Madrid coach has defended Kylian every time.

In this afternoon’s press conference, Carletto stated that the core of the problem is not Mbappé but the team as a whole. The Italian is keen to take the focus off the Frenchman, who insists will come good - like all players who go though goal droughts eventually do sooner or later.

While journalists were keen to discuss Mbappé, there was also Sunday’s league game against Getafe to talk about...

Getafe are just above the relegation places with just two wins. How will you be approaching this match?

They are a team that has values, they defend very well so it will be a demanding match. The idea is to try to attack well, have control of the game, play well and win.

The spotlight is on Mbappé. How do you see him? Have you spoken to him?

Mbappé‘s problem is the same one that we all have. The idea is to try to get the best version of ourselves, from him, from myself, from other players... The problem is for a team that has been able to have continuity in the season and get the best version of itself. It is not a problem which affects just one player, it is a problem for each one of us. We do not consider it an individual problem for a player who, among other things, is new here, is adapting, has scored eight goals, has participated in the attacking game and given assists... We can all do better.

How can you help Mbappé so that he doesn’t sink any further?

He hasn’t given up, he’s aware that he has to do better. Many of my players have missed penalties and we have to continue supporting and helping. We have to think that it’s a collective problem and not an individual one. You can criticize me, but the team’s dynamic is good and we have to understand that we’re missing many players. On the plus side, Rodrygo will be back tomorrow... The idea of being patient is the right way to go about it.

This season he seems more serious. Do you think that’s the wrong impression?

I am like Mbappé. I am trying everything to get the best version of myself. The results say that I have not been able to get the best version of myself. I am not happy, but I am worried enough. I am convinced that we will fix it. For the rest, on a personal level, I am very happy.

Where do you see Valverde’s best position?

I think he is a modern midfielder, in the sense that he can be a defensive pivot, an wide player who comes through from the second line and who has a powerful shot... His best position is as a midfielder.

Did you ever imagine that this campaign was going to be so complicated?

In many years of my career, only one year has been quite simple, last year. Every other year I have had to solve problems, sooner or later the problems come. It is impossible to think of a season like last year when everything went perfectly. It is better to find the problem in November or December than in April or May, when you are dead. Now the problem can be solved and, as I said, we are going to solve it. We are fighting for the league against a rival that is doing very well. The Club World Cup is on the horizon, the Super Cup... and above all the injured players are returning. Alaba and Camavinga will be back soon... We must endure the moment with a good attitude and commitment, because good things are yet to come.

Will Endrick start tomorrow?

If I think that Endrick is the ideal player to win the game tomorrow, he will play.

Mbappé playing on the left wing. Looking ahead, what are your thoughts on him and Vinicius in that position?

I don’t know. I think Mbappé is more used to playing inside or on the left. Vinicius is less used to playing inside, but he is realizing that he can be dangerous playing in a more central position. Where they play will depend on the game.

What is Asencio’s place in the squad?

When everyone has returned from injury, he will fight for his place. In the three games he has played, he has deserved to be a starter. He has shown confidence, he has been good with and without the ball... He deserves to be considered and battle to be a starter.

In the whole of last season, Madrid failed to score at all in just two games. This season, the team hasn’t scored in the last three. Is it a question of accuracy or of creating more and better chances?

We may have lacked some accuracy in some games, especially in games without many opportunities. We lacked some accuracy. At Liverpool, with more accuracy in transition, we could have created more chances to score.

What are you lacking?

The coach’s mirror is the team. When a team lacks continuity, does not always have a good attitude and is not focused, it is the coach’s fault in that regard.

Mbappé. Do you think he over-complicates his moves too much in order to make himself look good?

I wasn’t talking about the specific case of Mbappé. When there is a moment of difficulty you tend to complicate things, but when a team lacks something you have to simplify things and start from the base, which is defending. It gives me confidence that the team is starting to defend well, because it is the basics of football.

What kind of gameplan are you expecting from José Bordalás?

José is a friend, a very good friend, a good person and in my opinion, a great coach. I admire him a lot as a person and as a coach. I know that tomorrow will be a demanding match for us as it has always been with his teams.

Winter market. Why haven’t you decided on whether to sign anyone yet?

Because I think it’s a waste of time to think about signing players now. We’ll have 40 days to think about it. Things can change. Alaba is doing very well and will be back soon. We have to evaluate these things, which are a priority.