Last Wednesday, Kylian Mbappe saw his penalty saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in Real Madrid’s 2-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield. Seven days on, he was again denied from the spot as Julen Agirrezabala of Athletic Bilbao made a crucial save at San Mames in their 2-1 win over the defending La Liga champion.That sort of back-to-back error triggered an avalanche of criticism towards him from the media and fans.”He doesn’t know how to shoot on goal. He doesn’t know how to haggle. He doesn’t know how to lead the team. He doesn’t know how to run into space. He doesn’t know how to take penalties. He doesn’t know how to do anything. Kylian Mbappe is a fraud,” El Confidencial’s Alberto Ortega wrote on X.Superman has become Ordinaryman – where did Mbappe’s magic disappear?Los Blancos’ boss, Carlo Ancelotti, again stood for Mbappe in his post-match reaction. As per Diario AS, Ancelotti said:”I haven’t spoken to Mbappe. It was a complicated match – even hard-fought and competitive. When we equalised, you could think of having control and small details cost us tonight. We missed the penalty… I don’t have to evaluate a player’s game because of a penalty that is sometimes scored and sometimes missed. Obviously, he is sad and disappointed, but we have to continue.”He is not at his best, but you have to give him time to adapt. He has scored ten goals and is working to do better.”📽️ WORLD CLASS!!!This is how Julen Agirrezabala stopped Mbappé’s penalty.1-0 I #AthleticRealMadrid #LaLigaHighlights 🦁 pic.twitter.com/gPNdHKvUF6— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) December 4, 2024 Ancelotti also clarified the penalty-taker situation at Real Madrid…”Vinicius has usually taken a lot of penalties and all of them are good. The ones who take penalties are three: Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius.”Mbappe himself took the situation to social media to clarify.”Bad result. A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment, but it’s the best to change this situation and show who I am,” he wrote on Instagram.##NAJAVA_MECA_8547522##LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 19TuesdayMallorca – Barcelona 1-5 (1-1)/Muriqi 43 – Ferran 12, Raphinha 56(p), 74, De Jong 79, Victor 84/WednesdayAthletic Bilbao – Real Madrid 2-1 (0-0)/Berenguer 53, Guruzeta 80 – Bellingham 78/
