Kylian Mbappe was the match winner for Real Madrid as they overcame a stubborn Leganes side to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti singled out the Frenchman for praise, claiming he is now "more active" after a relatively slow start to his career at the Bernabeu. Mbappe now has 32 goals in all competitions for Los Blancos this season.
Kylian Mbappe is "making a difference" at Real Madrid, according to manager Carlo Ancelotti, after netting a brace in a La Liga win over Leganes.
The Frenchman put his side in front from the penalty spot in the first half, but Leganes fought back to lead 2-1 at half-time.
Los Blancos were given a scare by lowly Leganes, who are 18th in La Liga and locked in a relegation battle.
Ancelotti acknowledged that his team's performance was subpar. "I can’t remember a game in which we haven’t suffered," he said. "We have to do it, and the important thing is that it’s together. Football games are like that. There are no easy matches. However, suffering is not the issue. "We didn’t play a bad game. We had control, but we lacked balance, which resulted in two goals being scored. Given what we did in the first half, we didn’t deserve them, but they caught us out on two counter-attacks and, without balance, they scored.
"What was missing today was balance in the first half. After the penalty, we could have managed the lead better. The team wasn’t well positioned, and that’s why we conceded two goals. But we were better in the second half."
Real Madrid are still fighting on three fronts, with a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Real Sociedad to come next week, before a return to the UEFA Champions League on April 8.
Los Blancos face Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
He's doing very well, he's a lot more active and present in (the team's) play," Ancelotti told reporters.
"He's making the difference and that's what we want from him."
Previously Ancelotti suggested Mbappe could live up to Ronaldo's legacy at Madrid, but only with a lot of hard work.
"He has the quality to reach his numbers, but he has to work, because Cristiano set the bar very high, but he is so excited to play here, he can reach Cristiano's level," said Ancelotti in February, after Mbappe netted a hat-trick against Manchester City.
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