Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe should prioritise scoring goals over pressing to support the team, manager Carlo Ancelotti said before the Champions League tie with Borussia Dortmund.
Mbappe scored a fine goal in the win at Celta Vigo at the weekend but was often playing wide on the left – his preferred role with France.
Mbappe has eight goals for Real from 12 games in all competitions this season but has yet to hit his best form since signing in the summer.
European champions Real host Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s Champions League final, which the Spaniards won 2-0.
Matchday 3 😎#UCL pic.twitter.com/dYNIFWm5B8
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 21, 2024
“I want Mbappe to score goals, I prefer he scores rather than pressing. The centre-forward’s role hasn’t changed, I ask the same of him that I asked of (former Real striker player) Karim Benzema,” Ancelotti told reporters on Monday.
“Mbappe needs to position himself well and be smart every time we recover the ball to make a quick transition.”
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was phenomenal for Real last season, scoring 23 goals with 13 assists in 42 appearances in all competitions.
But he has yet to find the net this season and will look to break that duck when he plays former club Dortmund.
“We are satisfied with Bellingham’s work. He works hard on the field, competes, fights and makes sacrifices. He hasn’t scored like last year but that was unexpected,” Ancelotti said.
“We’ve always managed to score and will continue to because we have a lot of talent up front. Bellingham’s role is more important than the goals he scored last year.”
