Kylian Mbappe hit ‘rock bottom’ with missed penalty at Athletic Bilbao
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Kylian Mbappe scoring the first goal in Real Madrid's 4-2 La Liga win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Dec 22.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MADRID – Kylian Mbappe hit “rock bottom” with a penalty miss at Athletic Bilbao earlier in December as he struggled to adapt to his new surroundings at Real Madrid, but the French forward said he used that disappointment to fuel his recent return to form.
Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain in the close season as the French club’s all-time top scorer, but his move to Real has been plagued by teething problems, while a hamstring injury and a thigh issue have also hampered his ability to settle in.
However, since missing his second penalty in a week in a 2-1 loss at Bilbao, Mbappe has scored four goals in all competitions, including the opener in the 4-2 La Liga win over Sevilla on Dec 22.
“I took a lot of positives from the Bilbao game. I hit rock bottom,” he told Real Madrid TV. “I missed a penalty and I realised at that moment I have to give my all for this shirt and play with personality.”
Mbappe now has 10 goals in 16 league appearances, helping Real end 2024 second in the table, just a point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
“I can score a lot more. I know I have a lot more to give. The last few games I’ve played better,” he said.
“I think we now know each other better. I’ve joined the team and that changed a lot of things. The settling-in period is over, as the coach says. I feel very comfortable in the team and I play better with the others on the pitch.”
Coach Carlo Ancelotti said self-criticism has helped Real overcome a challenging period and fuelled Mbappe’s integration into the team.
Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz were also on target for Real, but it was Mbappe, now with six goals in his last eight games, who led the charge for the champions. Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio scored for Sevilla.
Real struggled to keep pace with their rivals early in the season and were thrashed 4-0 by Barcelona in October.
Ancelotti admitted that a lack of attitude and collective effort had been holding back his star-studded side, but introspection has aided the team in finding their rhythm again.
The disconnect has stung the most in the Champions League, where the defending champions are 20th after three wins and three losses, but Ancelotti said a turnaround is on the horizon for Real, who have ended their double-winning year on a good note.
“After the defeat against AC Milan, we sorted things out in the dressing room by talking very clearly,” Ancelotti said.
“Self-criticism has made us clear up what we were lacking, which was a bit of a lack of attitude, of collective commitment, of running a bit more.
“We have gone back to doing things the way we should have done... Mbappe has been self-critical and that’s why he has gotten out of a situation that could have been complicated.”
He added: “In 2024, I give the team an A plus. Last season was fantastic. We started (this season) with more difficulty, but we were able to fix the situation in time and there is hope for 2025, but it is difficult to repeat it.
“We will try.” REUTERS
