Carlo Ancelotti, the esteemed manager of Real Madrid, recently addressed the media in a press conference ahead of the La Liga match against Getafe. Amid a backdrop of inconsistent performances from the team, Ancelotti emphatically refused to point fingers at star forward Kylian Mbappe. The 25-year-old Frenchman, who made headlines with a prolific run of six goals in five matches during September, is currently under scrutiny as he adjusts to his new environment at Madrid. However, Ancelotti made it clear that the blame for the team’s struggles does not rest on Mbappe’s shoulders alone.
In his remarks, Ancelotti mentioned the tendency of people to forget the contributions of players like Mbappe, highlighting that the entire team must collectively strive for improvement. “The idea is to try to find the best version of ourselves: from him, from myself, from the other players,” Ancelotti stated, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility within the squad. He asserted that Mbappe’s challenges mirror those faced by the team as a whole, noting that despite being new to the club, Mbappe has already made significant contributions, including scoring eight goals across La Liga and the UEFA Champions League while providing assists in offensive play.
The Italian manager reassured fans and the press that Mbappe is not despondent but is instead conscious of his need to elevate his performance levels. Ancelotti spoke candidly about the situations his players have faced, commenting, “Many of my players have missed penalties. We have to continue to support and help. It’s a collective problem and not an individual one.” This comment served to foster a sense of unity in the face of adversity among the squad.
Ancelotti took this opportunity not only to defend Mbappe but also to acknowledge his own role in the team’s inconsistent results, which saw Real Madrid win only two out of their last five matches. In a display of self-reflection, he mentioned how he, too, is striving to unlock his best version as a coach and urged patience from supporters. “The results say I haven’t been able to do it so far, so I’m not happy,” he admitted. He expressed a measured concern about the situation but maintained a positive outlook, stating, “I’m certain that we’re going to fix this, like we’ve always done.”
The challenge of improving the team’s performance is compounded by injury issues decimating the squad. Significant players like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are set to miss the remainder of the season. Additionally, key contributors such as Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and Aurelien Tchouameni are sidelined due to injuries. On a brighter note, Ancelotti mentioned that defender David Alaba is nearing a return after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, a piece of news that may provide a much-needed boost to the squad.
As he reflected on his team’s trajectory, Ancelotti maintained that there were positive developments in the squad’s dynamics. “I want to say something, and you can criticise me for this later, but the dynamics of the team are good. We’re doing better. Our last two league games have been very good,” he asserted. He praised the efforts of his players but acknowledged that missing key players like Rodrygo has affected their overall performance but expressed optimism that patience would yield positive results.
In response to questions regarding the potential for new signings in the upcoming January transfer window, Ancelotti remained non-committal. He stated, “I think it’s a waste of time to think about signing players now. We’ll have 40 days to think about it. Things can change.” The manager stressed the importance of focusing on the present and the gradual recovery of key players instead of jumping headfirst into potential transfer moves.
In summary, Carlo Ancelotti’s commitment to fostering a collective team ethos is evident as he navigates through challenges with Real Madrid. By emphasizing unity, patience, and self-improvement, he aims to steer the club back on course amid struggles, while also advocating for star players like Mbappe. The upcoming matches may serve as a litmus test for his strategies and the resilience of his squad.
