Sport
Mbappe goal against Getafe ‘a relief’ for Real Madrid boss Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti expressed his delight at striker Kylian Mbappe's performance during Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Getafe in LaLiga on Sunday.
Mbappe scored in consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since September, eight minutes after Jude Bellingham's penalty had given Los Blancos the lead.
The result moved Madrid to within a point of leaders Barcelona at the top of the standings, with the luxury of a match in hand over their Clasico rivals.
Mbappé starred in the victory, registering a total of 1.29 expected goals (xG) for the team, compared to Madrid's total of 2.58, while also registering more shots on target (two) and touches in the penalty area ( eight) then had all his teammates. .
This season, only Ante Budimir (six) has scored more home goals in LaLiga than the Frenchman (five – equal to Raphinha, Vinicius Junior and Robert Lewandowski).
And Ancelotti was happy with Mbappe's performance after a difficult display during Madrid's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“He was active, dangerous and scored a great goal, which was important to control the rest of the match. He was active and that is what we expect from him,” Ancelotti said.
“The fans understand better than anyone the moment of the team and the players. They supported Mbappé after Anfield because it was the right thing to do.”
“Yes, a relief for everyone because it was a spectacular goal with a fantastic execution,” Ancelotti added when asked if it was a relief for Mbappe to score against Getafe.
@KMbappe #RealMadridGetafe pic.twitter.com/FOh1UjnIeu
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadriden) December 1, 2024
The result saw Los Blancos extend their unbeaten home run against Getafe to 16 games. Only against Racing de Santander (18 between 1952 and 1994) have they achieved a longer home winning streak in the competition.
Ancelotti was also without a number of first-team players on Sunday, with David Alaba, Eder Militao, Vinicius, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga all missing.
It looked like they had suffered another injury when goalscorer Bellingham was taken off at half-time, although Ancelotti was confident it was nothing serious.
“Despite the difficulties, which are many because of all the injuries we have, we fight and struggle,” Ancelotti said.
“We have returned to playing with concentration, spirit and attitude and that reassures me and gives me confidence.
“Little by little we will solve the problems, but in the meantime we will keep fighting.”
Madrid's next assignment comes in the form of fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who edged past Rayo Vallecano 2-1 on Sunday thanks to Oihan Sancet's brace.