Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Kylian Mbappé following the French forward’s missed penalty in their La Liga 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club.
Álex Berenguer put Athletic ahead in the 53rd minute, and Mbappé had the chance to level 15 minutes later, but his spot kick was saved by goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Jude Bellingham then equalised for Real Madrid, pouncing on a rebound from an Mbappé shot. However, Athletic’s Gorka Guruzeta scored a late winner to secure three points.
Despite the recent setbacks, Ancelotti expressed confidence in Mbappé’s ability: “He isn’t at his best level, but we have to give him time to adapt. He’s scored 10 goals, he can do better, and he’s working to do better.”
The Italian manager also emphasized that Mbappé would continue to be a penalty taker for the club, alongside Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham. “He took the responsibility to take it today, and it didn’t go well,” Ancelotti said. “But in football, that can happen.”
Carlo Ancelotti stressed that mistakes are a part of the game: “Fede [Valverde] is sad and disappointed like Kylian, but Fede is a great player. People make mistakes in football.”
Real Madrid, currently in 2nd place in La Liga with 33 points, will look to recover from this defeat when they face Girona on December 7 in their next league match.
