How long will it take for Mbappe to become Mbappe again?

Kylian Mbappe knows the pressure is mounting after an underwhelming start to his Real Madrid career and a dismal performance in the Champions League defeat to Liverpool.

With Vinicius Junior sidelined for more than three weeks due to injury, the stage was set on Wednesday for Mbappé to become Madrid’s main man in his preferred position on the left side of the attack.

But the France captain endured a brutal night and saw his penalty saved when he had the chance to equalize before Madrid lost 2-0 at Anfield.

Coach Ancelotti tried to shift blame from Mbappe, saying: “Only those who take responsibility can fail.”

“This is a difficult moment for Mbappe. We will support him and give him love,” he added.

Local media have pulled no punches in their description of a player who would take Madrid to an even higher level after a season in which they were crowned Spanish and European champions.

“It is clear that Kylian Mbappe is at the moment a shadow of the player he has been in recent years,” wrote Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

“Things aren’t going the way he wants them to and the crisis of confidence he’s experiencing is eating him beyond recognition.”

Mbappe’s return of nine goals in 18 games is reasonable, but his inability to make an impact in the big games – including the 4-0 Clasico home loss to Barcelona – has set alarm bells ringing.

“He came for evenings like this. …And he didn’t appear. He wasn’t a leader, he didn’t shine. He was not Vinicius, and he is still not Mbappe,” said the Madrid newspaper AS.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham also spoke in defense of Mbappe, backing the 25-year-old to rediscover the form that forced Madrid to lure him away from Paris Saint-Germain.

“Kylian can hold his head high. I know for sure that he will create many more great moments for this club,” said Bellingham.

“There is a medicine, and that is to be patient,” said Ancelotti. “This is only temporary. He is an exceptional player and the goals will come.”

Neighbors Getafe travel briefly to the Bernabeu on Sunday and are likely to be the ideal opponents for Madrid, having won just one of 16 away games in the league last year.

Despite three defeats in five Champions League games, Madrid are only four points behind Barcelona with one game left.

Barcelona blew a two-goal lead with a draw at Celta Vigo last weekend in the absence of Lamine Yamal, but Hansi Flick’s side shook off that setback with a 3-0 win over Brest in Europe in midweek.

The league leaders host 17th-placed Las Palmas on Saturday, while third-placed Atletico Madrid face bottom-placed Real Valladolid.

One to keep an eye on: Ante Budimir

Only Robert Lewandowski has scored more goals in La Liga this season than the Croatian striker, who scored eight of Osasuna’s 19 goals.

He scored twice in a surprise 4-2 win over Barcelona in September and scored both goals in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with fourth-place Villarreal.

Budimir, who originally signed on loan from Mallorca in October 2020, scored a career-best 17 goals last season and, at 33, is on track to do better this season.

Important statistics

4 – Girona became the first Spanish team to lose four of their first five Champions League games.

7 – Getafe have drawn more games than any other La Liga team this season. They have the second best defensive record, but also the weakest attack.

101 – Robert Lewandowski is the third player to score a hundred goals in the Champions League after Cristiano Ronaldo (140) and Lionel Messi (129). His brace against Brest took the Pole to 101.

Devices

Friday

Saturday

• Barcelona vs Las Palmas
• Alaves against Leganes
• Espanyol vs Celta Vigo
• Real Valladolid vs Atlético Madrid

Sunday

• Villarreal vs Girona
• Real Madrid vs Getafe
• Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Bilbao
• Real Sociedad vs Real Betis

Monday