Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has offered a fascinating defense of star forward Kylian Mbappe’s recent dip in form, suggesting the Frenchman’s inconsistency is “genetic” and something the club must accept as part of having a player with exceptional talent.
The Italian tactician’s comments came following Mbappe’s underwhelming performance in Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid, where the summer signing failed to make his usual impact. This marked Mbappe’s third consecutive appearance without scoring, following blanks against Girona and Real Betis.
When questioned about Mbappe’s display against Atletico, Ancelotti rejected the notion that his performance was poor, offering instead a philosophical perspective on the nature of elite talent.
“So bad? No,” Ancelotti responded firmly. What we see is that he didn’t do against Atlético what he did against City. Against City he scored three, and against Atlético he didn’t. Generally he’s doing very well. We’re very happy with him.”
The veteran coach’s explanation ventured into an intriguing theory about the relationship between extraordinary skill and consistency, suggesting that the most gifted players often experience more pronounced fluctuations in performance.
“He can’t always be at his best. Against Atlético he wasn’t, but in such a demanding season, that’s normal, above all in players of quality,” Ancelotti continued. “Quality players have more ups and downs. It’s something genetic. For players with great quality, it’s harder to be consistent.”
Despite acknowledging these challenges, Ancelotti emphasized Mbappe’s overall contribution to the team’s Champions League campaign. “He’s doing well. If we’re in the last 16 of the Champions League, it’s a lot down to him.
The comments reflect Ancelotti’s characteristic calm amid the intense scrutiny that surrounds Real Madrid and particularly its marquee signings. His defense of Mbappe comes at a crucial juncture in the season, with Los Blancos still competing on three fronts despite a recent setback in La Liga.
Madrid’s title defense suffered a blow following a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis on March 1, allowing Barcelona and Atletico Madrid to gain ground in the championship race. The reigning champions currently find themselves three points behind the leaders in what has developed into an unexpectedly tight contest.
Addressing this league disappointment, Ancelotti admitted, “I was disappointed. I thought the team was in good form, I didn’t expect that dip. But it was isolated… I think that in such a demanding season there’s a lot of wear and tear. You can’t always be at 100%.”
The focus on Mbappe’s form comes in stark contrast to his explosive start at Madrid and particularly his performance against Manchester City in the previous Champions League round. The French international was virtually unplayable in that tie, scoring four goals across both legs, including a stunning hat-trick at the Santiago Bernabeu that showcased exactly why Madrid pursued him so determinedly.
Despite his recent goal drought, Mbappe remains Madrid’s most prolific player this season with an impressive 28 goals across all competitions. His arrival in the Spanish capital followed years of speculation and a protracted saga that finally concluded when he joined as a free agent after his Paris Saint-Germain contract expired.
The weight of expectation on Mbappe has been immense since his arrival. Following in the footsteps of previous Galacticos and taking on the mantle from departed stars like Karim Benzema, the pressure to deliver consistently at the world’s most demanding club is enormous. Ancelotti’s comments seem designed to provide some breathing room for his star forward while managing the expectations of the notoriously demanding Madrid faithful.
Real Madrid now face a busy period before the March international break, beginning with a La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday. They then travel to Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium for the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, carrying a slender advantage into the return fixture. A league match against Villarreal completes their congested schedule before players depart for international duty.
The congestion likely explains part of Ancelotti’s pragmatic approach to Mbappe’s form. With fixtures piling up and the season reaching its crucial phase, managing the physical and mental condition of key players becomes paramount. The 65-year-old coach, who has won the Champions League a record five times as both player and manager, understands better than most the importance of peaking at the right moments.
Madrid’s pursuit of trophies on multiple fronts will require Mbappe to rediscover his scoring touch sooner rather than later. However, Ancelotti’s measured response indicates confidence that the forward’s quality will shine through when it matters most, even if consistency remains elusive.
For Mbappe himself, this represents perhaps the first significant challenge of his Madrid career. Having dominated French football with PSG for years, adapting to the unique pressures of representing Real Madrid – where even the slightest dip in form triggers intense scrutiny – is a different proposition entirely.
As Madrid enters the business end of the season, Ancelotti’s protection of his star asset demonstrates the delicate balancing act required when managing elite talent. By framing Mbappe’s inconsistency as an inherent quality of genius rather than a flaw, the Italian maestro has once again shown the psychological acumen that has made him one of football’s most successful coaches.
Whether Mbappe can prove his manager right by rediscovering his best form in the crucial weeks ahead remains to be seen, but with Ancelotti’s unwavering support, the French superstar has been given the perfect platform to silence any doubters as Real Madrid chase glory on multiple fronts.
