"Three games without scoring is a lot for me", claims Mbappe

Mbappe had not scored for Real Madrid since the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, which sparked criticism from the press about the former Paris Saint-Germain striker. After two La Liga games without a goal, he brushed off the criticism by opening his La Liga account with a brace at the Santiago Bernabeu last matchday against Real Betis.

"It's a great moment," Mbappe told Spanish television after the match. "I was really hoping to score at the Bernabeu, in this mythical stadium, the best in the world. But the most important thing was to win. Three games without scoring, for many people, is not much, but for me, it is a lot. "After the match against Las Palmas, we knew we had to win. And that's what we did today, in a difficult match. But we're Real, and in the end we win, and with style."

The smile on Mbappe's face was in contrast to the concern that had been shown since scoring his first goal and winning his first trophy in Warsaw on August 14. On Saturday, coach Carlo Ancelotti had hit back at the criticism, insisting that his star recruit was settling in well and he reasserted at the press conference after the match that "we never put Mbappe under pressure to score goals".

"He was very effective in the box, he had many opportunities. I think it is important for him to score, but we appreciate more the work for the team," added Ancelotti, who confirmed that Vinicius let the French striker take the penalty.

'Desire, motivation'

Ancelotti also spread his praise across the entire team which has taken a while to gel this season. "Anxiety, frustration, we don't have them," said Ancelotti.

"We have desire, motivation to try to do better. Today we did better. I think we deserved to win. It was a good game, much more supportive among all, and we arrive at the (international) break feeling good."

Madrid's win takes them second in the table with eight points, four behind early leaders Barcelona who eviscerated Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to make it four wins from four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.

 

September 1, 2024