Kylian Mbappe “can do better” manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted after the Real Madrid forward missed another penalty during his side’s loss to Athletic Club.
Mbappe, 25, had a 69th-minute penalty saved by Julen Agirrezabala as Madrid went on to lose 2-1 at San Mames Stadium and lose ground in the La Liga title race.
It is the second consecutive spot kick that Mbappe has missed after being denied by Caoimhin Kelleher during Madrid’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League last week.
Ancelotti said on Mbappe: “I haven’t spoken to him (Mbappe). We missed the penalty, but I don’t have to evaluate a player’s game by the penalty, sometimes they score and sometimes they don’t. He’s sad but we have to keep going.
“He’s much more than at his 1%. He’s not at his best but we have to give him time. He has scored ten goals. He can do better, of course, and he is working on it.”
Mbappe, who is yet to hit his best form at his new club after making the move from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, took to social media to comment on his miss from the spot.
“Bad result,” he said. “A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who l am.”
Mbappe has scored 10 goals in 20 appearances but has often been deployed as a central striker, having previously excelled from the left in France.
Jude Bellingham, who scored a penalty for Madrid during their 2-0 victory over Getafe on Sunday, stepped aside to allow Mbappe to take the spot kick on Wednesday evening.
When asked about hit penalty takers, Ancelotti said: “When Vinicius (Junior) is there. He had usually taken them and he had all taken them well. There are three, Mbappé, Bellingham, and Vinicius.”
“They both (Bellingham and Mbappé) spoke, today he took the responsibility to take it and it didn’t go well. This can happen.”
The defeat is Real’s fifth of the season in all competitions and it leaves them in second place, four points behind league leaders Barcelona and a point above Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid are next in action against Girona on Saturday
GO DEEPER
Kylian Mbappe and France – what’s happened?
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