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Mbappe has had to endure a lukewarm start to his life in Madrid by his lofty standards, having netted 13 times in his 22 outings for Los Blancos across all competitions, and Ancelotti expects the World Cup winner to hit a purple patch going ahead.
Carlo Ancelotti, Kylian Mbappe. (X)
Real Madrid gaffer Carlo Ancelotti sent out a warning to other teams stating that the acclimatization period star Frenchman Kylian Mbappe required to adapt to life in the Spanish capital following his blockbuster summer move was indeed over and that the 26-year-old looks primed to hit his best form.
Mbappe has had to endure a lukewarm start to his life in Madrid by his lofty standards, having netted 13 times in his 22 outings for Los Blancos across all competitions, and Ancelotti expects the World Cup winner to hit a purple patch going ahead.
“I think this adaptation period is over, now he’s shown a good version of himself, he can still improve, but in the last games he’s been good, he’s over the little injury he had,” Ancelotti said.
“He’s more motivated, more excited, happy to be here. His adaptation period, which he obviously needed, because everyone needs it, is over,” the Italian added.
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Mbappe has courted criticism for his lacklustre performance in high-profile encounters since joining the Madrid giants, but Ancelotti opined that the forward just needed to focus on remaining consistent.
“Where does Mbappe have to improve? Just in consistency,” continued Ancelotti.
“Trying to make moves that only he can make, as often as possible,” he continued.
“I don’t ask him to be too involved in the build-up, because of his characteristics. And after he breaks loose, to put the ball away,” Ancelotti revealed his instructions to the Frenchman.
The La Liga table stands competitively balanced with Barcelona leading the table with 38 points, with Atletico Madrid hot on their heels with just as many points and only separated by goal difference. Atletico, however, have a game in hand and visit Barcelona in their next clash on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash.
Real Madrid, who stand third, are just a single point off the pace with 37 points to their name and Ancelotti suggested that the title race could go down to the wire.
“It will be a league that will be battled for much more than those in recent years,” Ancelotti said.
“Atletico have everything they need to fight for it, and they will do that, it will be a very entertaining title race and it can be won with fewer than 90 points,” the 65-year-old signed off.
