Real Madrid entered their first clash against Atlético Madrid with several key absences and an unexpected omission from the Santiago Bernabéu pitch. One of the coaching staff’s biggest concerns is restoring Kylian Mbappé’s best form for the remainder of the season, as the French forward has shown worrying signs of disconnection in recent weeks—just when the team needs him most.

Mbappé’s Decline After His Masterclass Against Manchester City

Mbappé delivered a stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, but his performance has plummeted since then. His lack of impact has been further compounded by physical issues stemming from a recent tooth extraction, which caused him to miss training sessions and reduce his work intensity.

However, given Mbappé’s medical support team, this situation should have been well managed, raising questions about whether other factors are affecting his performance.

Ancelotti Worried About Lack of Killer Instinct

Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has publicly expressed concerns over the team’s lack of efficiency in key moments. A prime example was the wasted opportunity by Mbappé and Vinícius in the 91st minute of the ‘Euroderbi.’

Ancelotti has spoken with both players, but he is particularly focused on Mbappé, who is expected to take on the role of the team’s primary goal scorer. Even Luka Modrić has urged him on multiple occasions to be more ruthless in front of goal.

Mbappé Struggles, and Fans Begin to Lose Patience

Mbappé’s performances against Real Betis and Atlético Madrid have been far from the dominant displays he produced in February. Despite his 28 goals in 41 matches, his showing against Atlético raised concerns. He managed just one off-target shot, completed 33 passes, and lost possession seven times.

Moreover, his lack of reaction after losing the ball led to murmurs in the Bernabéu stands—an unusual response for a player of his caliber.

Real Madrid Needs Mbappé at His Best

Ancelotti understands that Mbappé’s talent is crucial to the team’s success, but he insists that both he and Vinícius must set aside individual ambitions and focus on the team’s collective goals.

Real Madrid doesn’t just need flashes of brilliance like the one against Manchester City—they need a decisive Mbappé. The big question remains: Can he rediscover his best form before it’s too late?