Real Madrid failed to close up the gap between them and Barcelona after Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty again. England play maker Jude Bellingham was on target but his goal could not savage the game for them.
It was Bellingham’s fourth goal in four games. The England midfielder put Carlo Ancelotti’s side on level terms in the 78th minute after he reacted first to a poor save from Julen Agirrezabala.
Carlo Ancelotti Speaks on Kylian Mbappe’s Form
Speaking about the inconsistency of Mbappe the manager said: “He is not at his best level, but you have to give him time to adapt. He has scored 10 goals and is working to do better.” Ancelotti also said: “I haven’t spoken to him.
However, the home side surged upfield and an uncharacteristic mistake from Federico Valverde allowed Gorka Guruzeta through on goal and he coolly slotted past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.
Before Bellingham’s equaliser, Kylian Mbappe was given the chance to level from the spot after Agirrezabala fouled Antonio Rudiger but he missed the penalty making it two in role. Remember he missed a penalty last week against Premier League side Liverpool in the Champions League.
It was a complicated match – even, competitive. When we equalised we could think of having control and small details penalised us tonight.” “We missed the penalty. I don’t have to evaluate a player’s game because of a penalty that is sometimes scored and sometimes missed. Obviously he is disappointed but we have to continue.”
It was a tough moment for Mbappe to endure at Anfield where his side fell to a 2-0 defeat, but a goal on Sunday was the Frenchman’s eighth in the league and provided a platform to build from after a shaky start to life in Spain.
However, his display at the San Mames showed there is still plenty of work for Real’s coaching staff to do if they are to fully integrate Mbappe into the European champions’ way of working.
The absence of Vinicius Junior on the left could have been a factor for Mbappe’s poor form. But many have argued that they expect he will fit in the shoes of Vini and work from the flank Vini use operate from but he was often found drifting wide – leaving huge gaps in Real’s attacking play.
The defeat is their second defeat of the La Liga season and they are now four points adrift of leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.
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