Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who holds the Spanish League and Champions League titles, said on Monday that he prefers that his striker Kylian Mbappe's priority be to score goals and not put pressure on opponents, and he also supported Jude Bellingham, who is absent from scoring.
The Champions League champion will host its rival, Borussia Dortmund, tomorrow, Tuesday, in a repeat of the final of the last edition, which the Spanish team won 2-0 to continue its continental dominance.
Coach Ancelotti's team is looking forward to an uprising after a sudden 1-0 loss to Lille in France in the last round of the Champions League, after a 3-1 victory over its guest Stuttgart in the opening of the competition.
Mbappe scored 8 goals with Real Madrid in 12 matches in various competitions, while Bellingham has not found the way to the net after 9 matches so far.
Ancelotti told reporters, “I want Mbappe to score goals. I prefer him to score goals rather than exert pressure. The role of the attackers has not changed. I am asking him what I was asking of Karim Benzema (former Real Madrid striker). Mbappe needs to position himself well and be smart every time we get the ball back.” To lead a quick (offensive) shift.”
Bellingham, the England midfielder, performed brilliantly last season before Mbappe arrived, scoring 23 goals and providing 13 assists in 42 matches in all competitions.
Ancelotti said, “We are satisfied with Bellingham's work. He works hard on the field, competes, fights and makes sacrifices. He did not score like last year, but (what he did last season) was not expected.”
He added, “We always work to score goals, and we will continue to work because we have many talents on the front line. Bellingham's mission is more important than the goals he scored last season.”
The Italian coach explained that Real Madrid's star-studded squad excels in offensive matches because of their talent.
Ancelotti said, “I want this style because I have players who have these characteristics. The interchangeable style of play suits us. We suffer more in matches that depend on possession because we do not have players qualified to play in tight spaces.”
Ancelotti added that his team is focusing on modifying its method of defense as well, after losing right-back Dani Carvajal due to a serious knee injury earlier this month.
Ancelotti (65 years old) said that his players are still not performing to their full potential amid a busy schedule of matches, and after facing Dortmund, Real Madrid will host its rival, Barcelona, leaders of the Spanish League, next Saturday.
Ancelotti added, “There is a problem related to fitness. Everyone is not in full physical fitness. The high pressure (on the opponent) was good, but we lack solidity in the midfield area, and this is the reason why the team lost some of its solidity.”