Ancelotti backs Mbappe, Vinicius amid criticism 

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed confidence in his star forwards, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, despite their underwhelming start to the season.

Both players, who are pivotal to the club’s attack, have faced criticism for their slow start in front of goal.

Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid, broke his goal drought by scoring a brace in his last outing, following three consecutive La Liga matches without finding the net.

Vinicius Junior, on the other hand, has managed only one goal in his first four appearances this season.

In a recent press conference, Ancelotti downplayed any concerns regarding the two players’ form, stating that they were in good spirits and focused on improving. “They don’t seem affected to me, they are training well, happy. Kylian is progressing each day,” the Italian coach assured reporters.

With both players being crucial to Real Madrid’s title ambitions, Ancelotti remains optimistic that they will soon hit top form, with their goal-scoring prowess expected to shine as the season progresses.

The club will be hoping their key strikers can maintain their upward trajectory and silence any remaining critics in the coming matches.

“Many forget they started pre-season in the middle of August… they didn’t have a pre-season, they have improved their fitness with games. They seem very well to me, and happy.”

French superstar Mbappe joined Madrid at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract this summer and Ancelotti is still working out how to get the best from the forward, who like Vinicius, prefers to drift in from the left.

Thus far Mbappe has started in the middle with Vinicius in his preferred position, but the Brazilian has lacked spark.

“(Vinicius is) not at his best but he’s still very important for us,” continued Ancelotti.

“The last thing I’m worried about is the state of Vinicius, he always works well, it’s just a question of time before he’s at his best.

“When a player is not 100 percent, the important thing is that he gives all he can.”

Real Madrid face Real Sociedad on Saturday in La Liga ahead of their first Champions League match this season, against Stuttgart at home on Tuesday.

Ancelotti said midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni would not be ready for the trip to San Sebastian but could return after that.