Carlo Ancelotti indicates Kylian Mbappe as a 'problem' at Real Madrid following public dig
Kylian Mbappe's arrival at Real Madrid was met with enormous fanfare, but it has also given Carlo Ancelotti a tactical headache. Los Blancos are currently nine points behind rivals Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti has identified Kylian Mbappe as the main issue in his struggling Real Madrid team.
Mbappe, 25, joined the reigning Spanish and European champions this summer on a long-awaited free transfer, promising a new era of dominance. However, Ancelotti's team has already lost as many games this season (two) as they did the entire previous season, when they won another La Liga-Champions League double.
Mbappe, who plays as the No.9, has eight goals in 14 games, but his arrival has pushed Jude Bellingham out of position, making life more difficult for Vinicius Junior. Legendary manager Ancelotti has experimented with various formations to get the most out of his star-studded attack, but he has yet to find a solution.
Los Blancos were humiliated at home last month, losing 4-0 to in-form Barcelona, who lead the table by nine points despite having played one more game. Real's game against Valencia on Saturday was postponed due to flash flooding on Spain's east coast, which has killed at least 210 people.
Ancelotti has reportedly concluded that what is holding his team back is Mbappe, ahead of Tuesday's Champions League home game against AC Milan. According to Relevo, Ancelotti believes the former Paris Saint-Germain striker's work rate - or lack thereof - out of possession is the team's main issue, as it leaves Real unbalanced in defence.
The Italian and his coaching staff want Mbappe to be more self-critical and willing to fulfill his defensive responsibilities. Robert Lewandowski's opening goal in El Clasico was used as an example to show Mbappe where he was going wrong, as Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado was given too much space on the ball and had time to pick out the Pole rather than being pressured.
One of the players most affected by the 25-year-old's failure to perform is England's Bellingham, who has been moved to the left side of midfield after establishing himself as the false nine during his debut season. Mbappe ran only eight kilometers against Barcelona, prompting Ancelotti to criticize his finishing and lack of attacking discipline, as he was caught offside eight times.
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