Kylian Mbappe ‘can do better’ as troubled Real Madrid visit Atalanta

BERGAMO – Real Madrid usually deliver in the Champions League when the pressure is on, and their trip to Atalanta on Dec 10 is shaping up to be a crucial clash for the troubled holders.

The record 15-time winners have lost three of their first five matches and find themselves 24th in the standings, with places 25 to 36 eliminated at the end of the group phase.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side travel to Bergamo before hosting RB Salzburg and then visiting French outfit Brest with their future in the competition on the line.

In-form Atalanta lead Serie A, and have not been beaten yet in the Champions League this season, sitting fifth.

Real, meanwhile, have been beset by a string of problems, including adaptation difficulties for superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe and several key players sidelined through injury.

Ancelotti has tried to ease the pressure on 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe, who has scored 11 goals in 21 games since joining Los Blancos.

“He isn’t at his best level, but we have to give him time to adapt,” the Italian said last week. “He can do better, and he’s working to do that.”

While Mbappe’s goal rate is not a cause for particular concern, his performances have left plenty to be desired given his status as one of the world’s top players.

Recent penalty misses against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, both matches finishing in defeats, exacerbated the focus on Mbappe, who has also had off-field problems.

He was not part of two recent France squads, is battling with PSG over an unpaid salary claim and is also reported to be under investigation in Sweden in a rape case.

“I received nothing, no summons,” Mbappe told Canal Plus on Dec 8. “I read the same thing as everyone else. The Swedish government hasn’t said anything – I’m not involved.”

He added that he has always given his all and his love for the French team has not changed.

Ancelotti suggested Mbappe’s struggles were not just down to him, but an issue of consistency affecting the whole team.

Although he accepted criticism for Real’s form, having lost five games across all competitions this term after stumbling just twice in the whole of last season, Ancelotti said his team would fight.

“It’s not a funeral,” he said. “We’re still fighting in all competitions. We have to be optimistic, keeping in mind the problems we’re having and have had.

“But we have to be optimistic because we have a quality squad. We have not been able to find our best form, but I am convinced we will sooner or later.”

Real have lost key defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao to long-term knee injury problems. Even midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, whom Ancelotti has turned to as an emergency defender in the past, has also been out hurt, only returning recently.

They will also be without Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba, though they are set to have Brazilian wing wizards Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo back fit and available.

Real will not have it easy on Dec 10 at the Gewiss Stadium. Confidence is understandably high at Atalanta, who are on a club-record run of nine straight wins in Serie A and for the first time in their history genuine league title contenders.

However, coach Gian Piero Gasperini is playing down the favourites’ tag for the clash and instead wants to focus on achieving the club’s first goal, which is to lock down automatic play-off qualification.

“We’re playing Real Madrid close to our first objective in the Champions League, and maybe we can even get something more,” he said.

“These wins aren’t just falling from the sky. This team goes for the win right to the end. Every time. We always look to play and try to win.” AFP