Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged Kylian Mbappe to prioritize scoring goals rather than focusing on pressing opponents, Softfootball understands.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, the Italian tactician insisted the role of the team’s central striker remains unchanged despite Mbappe’s arrival.
Mbappe has enjoyed a solid start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring eight goals in 12 appearances across all competitions this season, although his tally trails Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 14 times in the same number of games.
Ancelotti made it clear that his expectations for Mbappe are no different from those he had for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
According to the experienced coach, the French captain’s primary responsibility is to stay in the right attacking positions and be ready to exploit quick counter-attacks whenever Madrid regain possession.
The Italian believes Mbappe’s goalscoring instincts are far more valuable to the team than excessive defensive pressing, stressing that the forward’s finishing ability remains one of Real Madrid’s biggest attacking weapons as they prepare for another crucial European night.
