Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Saturday that he is happy with new signing Kylian Mbappe's adaptation to the club and is not concerned about his side's slow start to the La Liga season.
French captain Mbappe, who joined Real from Paris Saint-Germain in June, scored in a 2-0 win over Europa League champions Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final three weeks ago but is yet to find the net in three La Liga games.
Playing as a centre-forward alongside left winger Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé has missed several chances and struggled to link up with his new team-mates in disappointing draws at Mallorca and Las Palmas, as well as a dismal home win against Real Valladolid.
“[Mbappé] “He is playing very well even though he has not scored yet. His influence creates danger. His adaptation here is not a problem,” said Ancelotti in a press conference before his team's match against Real Betis on Sunday.
“For me [Vinícius and Mbappé] We are working well as a team, the offensive work is being done very well, it has not been a problem because we have scored goals in all the games.
“Over time, we will combine better, not only Viní with Mbappé, but also Mbappé with the midfielders. Offensively we don't have any problems. We haven't had them in recent years and we won't have them now that we have the best forwards in the world.”
After a season in which they won the league and Champions League double, Ancelotti said he believes criticism over the slow start to the domestic season is natural.
The champions are fourth in the table with five points, four behind leaders Barcelona, who started the season with three consecutive wins.
“It is absolutely normal [the criticism] “The demands on this team are maximum. We will receive criticism until May. For us it is normal,” said Ancelotti.
“We are not happy, but not because we are four points behind the team.” [Barcelona]. It's because we haven't played well so far. The season is very long and that [points difference] It doesn't mean much.
“We are trying to solve our problems. So far we have not managed to have a compact team and we have to improve this. I have spoken to the players and they agree. When the problem is clear, it is easy to solve it,” he added.
