Real Madrid: Carlo Ancelotti discloses two factors behind Kylian Mbappe’s underwhelming display against Atletico Madrid.

♦Kylian Mbappe has enjoyed a remarkable start to 2025 with Real Madrid, consistently finding the back of the net and playing a key role in securing vital victories for his team.

 

This is a stark contrast to his early months at the club, where he struggled with frequent offsides and low confidence, becoming a target for criticism from fans.

 

However, Mbappe’s performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League was below expectations. He appeared isolated for most of the match and seemed physically fatigued.

 

Carlo Ancelotti pointed out two reasons for the Frenchman’s underwhelming display — a health issue and a tactical challenge.

 

The coach revealed that Mbappe missed three days of training due to a tooth extraction, which affected his sharpness on the pitch. Although this doesn’t excuse some of his mistakes, Ancelotti admitted the recovery process might have impacted his form.

 

“It’s just the tooth extraction. He couldn’t train much because of the pain, and he wasn’t in his best condition against Betis. These minutes will help him regain his top form for the upcoming games,” Ancelotti explained.

 

Additionally, Ancelotti highlighted Atletico Madrid’s defensive approach, which limited Mbappe’s involvement. Their compact setup allowed midfielders to support the defence effectively, making it harder for the forward to find space.

 

Despite the setback, the game served as a learning experience for Mbappe, and he is expected to deliver a much-improved performance in the return leg at the Wanda Metropolitano.