Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said his troubled French striker Kylian Mbappe was as down as the rest of the team over recent setbacks but remained motivated ahead of Saturday`s Liga clash with Osasuna.
Mired in a sexual assault investigation in Sweden and struggling to find his feet in the ultra demanding Real Madrid spotlight, Mbappe was this week left out of France coach Didier Deschamps` squad for the next round of Nations League matches.
"Mbappe is down but not out," Ancelotti said of his club form, adding that the 25-year-old remained "motivated".
The European champions were hammered 4-0 by rivals Barcelona at the end of October and are now nine points behind their great rivals in La Liga.
On top of that, they slumped to a second consecutive home defeat Tuesday, with AC Milan triumphing 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe has been some way off his best but the Italian coach refused to lay the blame at his door.
"The problem he`s having is everyone`s problem. We haven`t hit our stride yet. But I`m convinced Mbappe is going to get through this difficult moment," he said.
"You could point at Vinicius (Junior), Rodrygo or (Jude) Bellingham. It is a difficult moment for everyone.
"You can`t let your head drop, you have to hold it high."
Ancelotti, however, declined to speculate on Mbappe`s second consecutive omission from the World Cup finalists` squad.
"It is a decision of the national team coach and I do not have the right to judge it. I do not allow myself to do so," said Ancelotti.
France are due to play Israel at the Stade de France on November 14 and Italy in Milan three days later.
-20241219100909.jpg)
-20241219094817.jpg)
-20241223065754.jpg)
-20241223064225.jpeg)
-20241217065341.jpg)
-20241217074542.jpg)
