Carlo Ancelotti praised “dangerous” Kylian Mbappé after he scored a stunning goal in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Getafe on Sunday, saying “that’s what we want from him” after the forward faced criticism for his recent displays.
Jude Bellingham put Madrid ahead with a penalty in the 30th minute, before setting Mbappé up for the second eight minutes later, finishing off the post from distance.
The result left Madrid a point behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona, having played a game fewer.
“[Mbappé] was dangerous as always,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. “He scored an important goal to help us control the game better, and he had chances in the second half. He had a very active game, and that’s what we want from him.”
Mbappé had scored just two goals in nine games going into Sunday’s match at the Santiago Bernabéu — and missed a penalty against Liverpool in the Champions League in midweek — but has now found the net in back-to-back league games for the first time since September.
“[It was] a relief, yes,” Ancelotti said. “At 2-0, you have more chances to win… It was a spectacular goal, fantastic. [Mbappé’s] game was very good.
“The fans understand more than anyone else what the moment of the team and the players is. They supported Mbappé, which is fair.”
Ancelotti said Bellingham had been substituted at half-time with discomfort, but dismissed fears that the issue might prove serious.
“Bellingham had a problem with his neck, he couldn’t carry on,” Ancelotti said. “I think he’ll recover in a few days.”
Madrid travel to Athletic Club in LaLiga on Wednesday, and then Girona on Saturday, before returning to action in the Champions League at Atalanta.