Ancelotti addresses Mbappe’s low start at Real Madrid

By Peter Ochieng

Real Madrid manager has addressed reports of Kylian Mbappe’s low start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 25-year-old French forward joined Madrid ahead of the 2024/2025 season, after ending his stay at Paris St. Germain (PSG).

Despite making a promising start by scoring on his debut to help Real earn a 2-0 win over Europa League champions Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final two weeks ago, the speedy striker is yet to score for Madrid, after two games in the Spanish topflight, La Liga.

However, Ancelotti is not perturbed, insisting that Mbappe’s time will surely come.

"His last goal was on August 14th. It has only been two weeks since, that is no reason to worry. Neither we are not worried as a club, nor him," said the legendary Italian tactician, who has won league titles in Italy, France, England, Germany and Spain as quoted by Reuters.

"He is very happy here, delighted, sure he wants to score in the next game. So does Vinicius, who has yet to score this season and I don't see him worried either. Mbappe is progressing really well, I see him doing better every day, excited, motivated, training well. He is very humble. I think his adaptation is going really well."

He said they are still trying to fit Mbappe into a new centre-forward role, having played as a left winger for PSG and the France national team, for many years.

"Every year has its own challenge because there are changes in the structure of a team, the system that is implemented," said Ancelotti.

"Last year we also needed time at the start of the season, we needed a late goal to get a result in many games. It will take some time until we find our mojo and the best version of ourselves but it's a normal thing.”

Real Madrid are fifth in the LaLiga standings on four points, five behind leaders Barcelona. The La Liga defending Champions have a game in hand, and face Las Palmas on Thursday night.