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

The Real Madrid coach turned the spotlight from the French star to himself: “We can all do better.”

Kylian Mbappe's worrying form has been a topic of conversation for some time and the French striker was in the news again last week for his discreet display against Liverpool in the Champions League.

Carlo Ancelotti has been asked why he thinks the player often struggles when dealing with the media and the Real Madrid coach has defended Kylian every time.

During 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 he will perform well, like all players who sooner or later go through goal droughts.

While journalists were eager to talk about Mbappé, there was also Sunday's league match against Getafe to talk about…

Getafe is just above the relegation places with only two wins. How will you approach this competition?

It is a team that values ​​values ​​highly. They defend very well, so it will be a demanding match. The idea is to attack well, control 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 we all have. The idea is to try to get the best version of ourselves, of him, of myself, of 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's not a problem that affects just one player, it's a problem for all of us. We don't consider it an individual problem for a player who, among other things, is new here, is adapting, has scored eight goals, participated in the attacking game and provided assists… We can all do better.

How can you help Mbappé so that he does not sink further?

He has not given up, he is aware that he has to do better. Many of my players have missed penalties and we must continue to support and help. We must remember that it is a collective problem and not an individual problem. You can criticize me, but the team dynamics are good and we have to understand that we are missing a lot of players. The positive thing is that Rodrygo will be back tomorrow… The idea of ​​being patient is the right way to go about this.

This season he seems more serious. Do you think that is a wrong impression?

I'm just like Mbappe. I do everything I can to get the best version of myself. The results say that I was not able to get the best version of myself. I'm not happy about it, but I'm worried enough. I am convinced that we will solve it. Other than that, I am very satisfied on a personal level.

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, a wide player who comes through from the second line and has a powerful shot… His best position is as a midfielder.

Did you ever think this campaign would be so complicated?

In many years of my career, only one year was quite easy: last year. Every other year I have had to solve problems, sooner or later the problems arise. A season like last year, in which everything went perfectly, is unthinkable. It's better to find the problem in November or December than in April or May, when you're dead. Now the problem can be solved and, as I said, we are going to solve it. We are fighting for the competition against a rival that is doing very well. The Club World Cup is just around the corner, the Super Cup… and especially the injured players are returning. Alaba and Camavinga will be back soon… We have to face the moment with a good attitude and dedication because good things are yet to come.

Does Endrick start tomorrow?

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

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

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 realizes he can be dangerous when he plays in a more central position. Where they play depends on the game.

What is Asencio's place in the selection?

When everyone is back 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 taken into account and compete to be a starter.

Throughout last season, Madrid failed to score at all in just two matches. This season the team did not score in the last three. Is it a matter of accuracy or of creating more and better opportunities?

It may be that we lacked accuracy in some matches, especially those without many chances. We lacked any accuracy. At Liverpool, with more accuracy in transition, we could have created more chances to score.

What are you missing?

The coach's mirror is the team. If a team lacks continuity, doesn't always have a good attitude and isn't focused, that's the coach's fault in that regard.

Mbappe. Do you think he over complicates his moves to make himself look good?

I was not talking about the specific case of Mbappé. When there is a difficult moment you tend to complicate things, but when a team misses something you have to simplify things and start from the basics, which is to defend. It gives me confidence that the team is starting to defend well, because this is the basis of football.

What kind of game plan do you expect from José Bordalás?

José is a friend, a very good friend, a good person and in my opinion a great coach. I admire him enormously 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 yet whether you want to sign someone?

Because I think it's a waste of time to think about signing players now. We have forty days to think about it. Things can change. Alaba is doing very well and will be back soon. We need to evaluate these priority issues.