Madrid Derby Set to Go Down Without Mbappé – But Ancelotti Won’t Make Any Big Changes
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Kylian Mbappé’s injury won’t drastically alter his team’s approach to Sunday’s highly-anticipated Madrid derby against Atlético.
Mbappé, who has already bagged five league goals this season, is expected to be out for around three weeks with a thigh injury sustained during Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Alavés. Despite this setback, Ancelotti is confident that his team can still produce the goods without their star forward.
"We’re used to playing without him," Ancelotti said in a pre-match press conference. "Last year, he wasn’t here, so it’s not a big change for us. We can deal with his absence well."
So, what does this mean for the team’s formation? Ancelotti dismissed the idea of switching to a 4-4-2 system, insisting that his team’s shape can adapt to the players on the pitch.
"I don’t focus much on the system," he said. "A 4-3-3 can change. You can have a 4-4-2 with the same players. Adding an extra midfielder doesn’t mean 4-4-2, or an extra forward 4-3-3. We can play with three forwards in a 4-4-2, with Vinícius [Júnior] or Rodrygo on the right wing. I don’t focus on that, I focus on the team playing for each other, with commitment."
Atlético coach Diego Simeone, meanwhile, believes that Real’s most significant absentee will be midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired this summer. Kroos was a key player in Real’s midfield, providing balance and composure to the team.
"Our opponent has lost a really important player in midfield, Kroos, necessary in any team to give balance," Simeone said. "I think they’re looking for that player who can give them calm, to make the most of all the offensive power they have."
In terms of team news, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has recovered from injury and is available for selection, but Ancelotti refused to confirm whether he’d start the match.
This season’s Madrid derby is set to be a cracking encounter, with both teams unbeaten and just two points apart in the LaLiga table. Atlético will be looking to exact revenge after last year’s 3-1 win at the Metropolitano, where they took a two-goal lead inside the first 20 minutes.
"Yes, 100%, we have to avoid the mistakes of last year," Ancelotti said. "We’ve improved defensively. We’ve learnt from last year."
The stage is set for an intense and thrilling match-up. Will Real’s absence of Mbappé affect their performance, or will they find a way to overcome the setback? Stay tuned to find out.
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