Carlo Ancelotti’s statement echoed through the San Mames Stadium, as he acknowledged the reality that Kylian Mbappe is not playing at his best level. The defending champion’s 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club was plagued by the superstar’s inability to deliver in crunch moments. Mbappe, who has been touted as the solution to Real Madrid’s attacking woes, missed yet another penalty, faltering once again in the big games.
As the ball sailed over the crossbar, a collective groan escaped the Real Madrid faithful. The French phenom’s form has been a subject of concern, with critics questioning whether he is still the same player who dominated in the French league. With 10 goals and two assists from 19 games, Mbappe is a shadow of his former self.
Ancelotti’s words were a mix of encouragement and caution, as he urged fans to be patient with the 25-year-old. “He’s working hard, but he’s not playing at his best level,” the Italian manager said. “Let’s give him time.” But time is of the essence for Real Madrid, who are struggling to find consistency in the league. A recent dip in form has seen them slide to second place, four points behind Barcelona.
The question on everyone’s mind is: what happened to Mbappe’s electrifying form? His summer signing was touted as a blockbuster move, and his early performances did little to dispel the hype. He won the UEFA Super Cup on his debut, scoring his first goal for the club in the process. But since then, the gloss has worn off, and Mbappe has failed to deliver the goods.
Perhaps the change in roles is partly to blame. Mbappe has been deployed in a central position, instead of his traditional left-forward spot. The move was supposed to allow Vinicius Junior to flourish on the left, but instead, it has seemed to stifle Mbappe’s creativity.
As the season hurtles towards its climax, Real Madrid can ill afford to wait for Mbappe to rediscover his mojo. The reigning champions need a spark, a fire that sets the pitch ablaze. But for now, that fire seems to be dwindling, leaving Ancelotti to ponder how to reignite it.
