Ancelotti: ´Just a matter of time´ until Mbappe breaks goal drought

Carlo Ancelotti insists “it is just a matter of time” until Kylian Mbappe breaks his goal drought, with the Real Madrid forward having failed to find the net in his last four appearances.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward has endured a tricky start to life with Los Blancos since making the switch as a free agent.

Despite scoring eight goals in 16 appearances across all competitions, Mbappe is yet to truly catch fire at Santiago Bernabeu, where his displays have been subjected to widespread criticism.

The France forward has underperformed his season’s expected goals (xG) total by 2.04, while he was left out of Les Bleus’ squad for their recent Nations League matches after going over 400 minutes without scoring.

Mbappe is averaging a goal every 166 minutes in all competitions this term, compared to one every 88 minutes in his final campaign with PSG, but Ancelotti is confident the tables will turn.

“It happens to all great strikers,” the Italian told reporters ahead of Madrid’s clash with Leganes on Sunday. “He can get frustrated, but that’s not his case. I see him motivated and happy to train with his team-mates.

“Sooner or later, he will break that streak of games in which he hasn’t scored goals. Tomorrow, he will have a great game because it is just a matter of time. He has incredible quality and, sooner or later, he will show it.”

Ancelotti also addressed suggestions Mbappe should be switched from the central attacking position to the left wing, in place of top scorer Vinicius Junior.

“I don’t think Kylian has ever asked me for a position on the pitch, everyone wants to start in the starting 11,” Los Blancos’ head coach added. “But Mbappe and Vinicius don’t have a fixed position on the pitch. It all depends on the match.”

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