By Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized on Monday that he wants star striker Kylian Mbappe to prioritize scoring goals over pressing, as the team works to fully integrate the French forward following his summer arrival. Despite being Spanish and European champions, Madrid has struggled to find peak form this season, especially after their recent Champions League defeat to Lille. They now face Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in a rematch of last season’s final, where Madrid claimed their record 15th European title.
“I prefer Mbappe to focus on scoring rather than pressing,” Ancelotti said in a pre-match press conference. “The central striker role remains the same. I ask from him what I asked from Karim (Benzema, who left in 2023)—to be well-positioned and ready for quick transitions when we regain possession.”
Mbappe has scored eight goals in 12 matches across all competitions this season, in contrast to Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 14 in the same number of appearances. The forward recently faced criticism in France for missing Nations League games, despite recovering from a thigh injury. Additionally, Swedish media reported he is under investigation for an alleged rape in Stockholm, which Mbappe has strongly denied as “fake news.”
Mbappe’s presence has also shifted Jude Bellingham into a more defensive role. Bellingham, who was pivotal in Madrid’s attack last season, has yet to score in nine appearances this year after an impressive 10 goals in his first 10 matches last season.
“He’s working hard, always competing and sacrificing for the team,” Ancelotti said. “His goal tally isn’t the same as last year, but that was the surprise—no one expected him to score so many then.”
