- 23 hours ago
'Kylian Mbappe is not a coward' - Carlo Ancelotti
Cameron Smith
- 3 Dec 2024 19:30 GMT
- 3 min read
Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed suggestions that Kylian Mbappe was a “coward” against Getafe and he has praised the France international for his selflessness.
The 25-year-old saw a spot kick saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in the Champions League last week and he allowed Jude Bellingham to take a 30th minute penalty versus Getafe on Sunday afternoon.
The England star sent David Soria the wrong way to score for the third consecutive La Liga game, having failed to find the back of the net in his first 12 Real Madrid appearances of the 2024-25 campaign.
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After Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe, Spanish television programme El Chiringuito suggested that Mbappe was a “coward” for stepping back from penalty responsibilities, but Ancelotti has refuted such claims.
“Getafe's penalty can be analysed in two ways,” the Real Madrid boss said (as per 90min). “Someone sees it as an act of insecurity and we see it as an act of responsibility and altruism. These are two important things for us.
“The altruism of a great talent like Mbappe is an act that we value very much because it means that the one who could be the greatest talent in football is putting himself at the service of the team.
“For me it is not a lack of courage but an important act for his teammates. Everyone at the club values it as an act of altruism. That means he is on the right path. I value it very much.”
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Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid
Mbappe’s penalty miss against Liverpool saw him widely criticised by a number of pundits, but his overall form since joining Real Madrid has also been discussed at length.
The France international has scored 10 goals in 19 games for Los Blancos, following his free transfer switch from Paris Saint-Germain, however he has struggled in a centre forward role and Vinicius Junior remains Real Madrid’s most dangerous attacker.
