Carlo Ancelotti Stands Firm Behind Kylian Mbappe Despite Penalty Miss Against Liverpool
The tension was palpable at Anfield as Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe stepped up to take a penalty against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League. Unfortunately, his attempt was weak and easily saved by Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, preserving the hosts’ lead.
The French international wasn’t the only one to face a penalty challenge that day. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool’s star forward, also had his chance, but his shot sailed wide of the goal. Just minutes later, Cody Gakpo capitalized on a corner-kick situation to extend Liverpool’s lead, securing their win.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti remained unwavering in his support for Mbappe. In a post-match interview, he said, “Mbappé has our full support and will soon turn this situation around. He’s an extraordinary player, and we need to be patient with him as he adjusts to the team’s dynamics.”
Ancelotti also acknowledged Liverpool as Real Madrid’s toughest opponent in the Champions League, highlighting the challenges that come with facing such a formidable rival. He reflected on the match, saying, “Playing at Anfield is always a daunting task – it’s arguably the most challenging stadium in Europe. We competed well until the penalty incident, but after that, we seemed to lose our momentum.”
Despite the defeat, Ancelotti remained optimistic about his team’s performance, praising their determination against a strong opponent. “I was pleased with how we competed against Liverpool,” he said. “They truly deserved their win today.”
