Carlo Ancelotti defended Kylian MbappéThe form after the star striker disappointed the Real Madrid Champions League against Atlético Madrid in the middle of the week, saying that the form of the captain of France vacillates during a season.
Mbappé was calm during Tuesday Hold-Allier in Bernabéu after scoring four goals in two games against Manchester City in the previous round.
He scored 28 goals in all competitions for Madrid this season, but failed to find the net in the last three games of the team, against Atlético, Real Betis and Girona.
“So bad? No,” said Ancelotti, when asked if Mbappé’s performance criticism against Atlético was justified.
“What we see is that he did not do against Atlético what he did against City. Against the city, he marked three, and against Atlético, he did not do it. In general, he is doing very well. We are very satisfied with him.
“It cannot always be at its best. Against Atlético, it was not, but in such a demanding season, it’s normal, especially in quality players. Quality players have more ups and downs. It is something genetics.
“For players with high quality, it is more difficult to be consistent. But it is fine. If we are in the last 16 of the Champions League, it’s a lot for him.”
Madrid is still in competition for three major trophies. They are three points from the top of the Laliga table – dragging Barcelona and Atlético – and in the Champions League’s Channel, and play the second stage of their Copa del Rey semi -final against Real Sociedad next month.
However, their 2-1 defeat in Betis on March 1 was a blow, allowing Barça and Atlético to take advantage of the title race.
“I was disappointed,” said Ancelotti. “I thought the team was in good shape, I did not expect this dive. But it was isolated … I think that in such a demanding season, there is a lot of wear. You can’t always be 100%.”
On Sunday, Madrid welcomes Rayo Vallecano in Laliga, before visiting Metropolitano d’Atletico for the Champons league, then visiting Villarreal in the League.
“We are close,” said Ancelotti. “We are not in an ideal situation, but we are close to a final of Copa Del Rey, near the leaders of Laliga and the quarter -final of the Champions League.”
Ancelotti also confirmed that the midfielder and the right rear hand Fede Valverde is “fine” and “available” to play against Rayo, having “only just done” to start against Atlético on Tuesday.
