Carlo Ancelotti believes his tactical decision to reposition Kylian Mbappé was key in helping the French striker break his goal-scoring drought during Real Madrid's 3-0 victory over Leganés on Sunday. Mbappé netted his seventh goal of the season, a much-needed boost after struggling in his role as a central forward since joining the club.
The 25-year-old’s positioning had drawn significant attention, but Ancelotti’s adjustment—moving Mbappé back to the left wing—proved effective. Brazilian forward Vinícius Jr. was shifted to a more central role, and the pair combined brilliantly, with Vinícius providing the assist for Mbappé’s opening goal.
“Mbappé played on the left, where he has been more comfortable, and Vinícius moved inside. Their interplay was crucial in opening the scoring, and Mbappé’s goal came from a fantastic assist from Vinícius. Little by little, both players are improving,” Ancelotti commented in the post-match press conference.
The coach explained that the change worked well for both players. “Kylian is more used to playing on the left, and for the team and for him, this was the best solution. Playing on the wing demands more physical effort, and with Vinícius having just returned from international duty, Kylian was fresher, having trained here for a week and a half.”
Despite being the captain of the French national team, Mbappé was not called up during the international break, allowing him extra recovery time. In contrast, Vinícius participated in Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.
Looking ahead, Ancelotti is hopeful that two of his key players—Lucas Vázquez and Aurélien Tchouaméni—will be fit for upcoming matches, including their challenging trip to face Liverpool at Anfield. Vázquez is recovering from a hamstring injury, while Tchouaméni is working his way back from a sprained ankle.
Ancelotti also praised Federico Valverde for his versatility, as the Uruguayan scored a free-kick while playing in a different role against Leganés. "Fede has been excellent in his defensive role. He’s a fantastic fullback. After Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez, he’s one of the best right-backs in the world. The challenge is that he can play so well in various positions, and it’s up to me to decide where he fits best for the team,” Ancelotti said.
With injuries still a concern, Ancelotti is optimistic about the return of Vázquez and Tchouaméni. "Let’s see if they recover in time. If not, we’ll adapt accordingly," he concluded.
