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September 1, 2024
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti stated on Saturday that he is pleased with how new player Kylian Mbappe is adjusting to life with the Spanish soccer powerhouses and is not concerned about his team’s sluggish La Liga start.
France’s captain, Kylian Mbappe, signed with Real Madrid from Paris St. Germain in June. Three weeks ago, he scored in the UEFA Super Cup final, helping the team defeat Europa League winners Atalanta 2-0, but he has not scored in three La Liga games.
As the partner of left winger Vinicius Jr., Mbappe plays center forward. In disappointing draws against Real Valladolid at home and at Las Palmas, he has squandered several opportunities and found connecting with his new teammates difficult.
“(Mbappe) is playing very well even if he hasn’t scored yet. His influence creates danger. Him settling in here is not a problem,” Ancelotti said during a press briefing before his side hosted Real Betis on Sunday.
“For me (Vinicius and Mbappe) are teaming up well; the offensive work is being done very well. It hasn’t been a problem because we’ve scored goals in every La Liga games.
“With time, they will team up better, not just Vini with Mbappe, but Mbappe with the midfielders as well. Offensively, we don’t have a problem. We haven’t had it these years, and we’re not going to have it now that we have the best strikers in the world.”
Ancelotti stated he believed it was only fair to criticize the team for their lackluster start to the domestic season following a season in which they won both the La Liga and the Champions League.
With five points, the champs are currently fourth in the rankings, four behind leaders Barcelona, who have begun the season with three straight victories.
“It’s absolutely normal (the criticism) because the demands on this team are at their highest. We are going to be criticized until May. This is normal for us,” Ancelotti said.
“We are not happy, but not because we are four points behind (Barcelona). It’s because we didn’t play well so far. The season is very long, and that (points difference) doesn’t mean much.
“We are trying to solve our problems. So far, we have not been able to have a compact block, and we have to improve this. I have talked about it with the players, and they agree. When the problem is clear, it is easy to fix it,” he said.
After a season in which Girona surprised everyone by lighting up Spanish soccer, manager Michel stated on Saturday that he is confident his team has what it takes to be contenders for the La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey championships.
Girona, supported by the riches of its Abu Dhabi owners and just four years after being promoted to Spain’s first division, competed head-to-head with Real Madrid for the championship last season. After finishing third and earning their first European football qualification, Girona defeated Barcelona twice.
“We have a balanced squad, perfect to go out there and compete in all competitions,” Michel stated during a news conference before his side’s La Liga clash at Sevilla on Sunday.
“We are the team that recovered the most balls in the opposition’s half in the first three matches of the season, a step up from last year, when we were sixth from bottom.
“I really don’t care about the system we use, I care about our performance on the pitch, the way of doing things. We want numerical superiority with the ball and to regain it as quickly as possible.”
Paris St. Germain manager Luis Enrique stated on Saturday that he is happy with the Ligue 1 team’s transactions during the summer transfer window and that he is now concentrating on developing his players to their full potential.
The defending French champions added highly regarded defensive midfielder Joao Neves, winger Desire Doue, center-back Willian Pacho, and goalkeeper Matvei Safonov over the offseason after losing striker Kylian Mbappe to Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid on a free transfer.
However, they have already suffered a setback as they look for a goal scorer to replace Mbappe. Striker Goncalo Ramos sustained an injury that might keep him out for up to three months.
“We want to sign players, and their prices were very high. I have the players I have, I’m happy with their level, now I have to develop their potential,” On the eve of Sunday’s Ligue 1 match at Lille, Enrique told reporters.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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