Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: Ancelotti Confident Without Mbappe

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains optimistic as his team prepares for the highly anticipated La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid, despite the absence of star signing Kylian Mbappe due to a hamstring injury. The French forward is set to miss three weeks, leaving Los Blancos to face their rivals without him.

Currently sitting second in the league, Real Madrid trails leaders Barcelona by four points while holding a two-point advantage over third-place Atletico. Ancelotti acknowledged that while playing without Mbappe alters the team’s dynamic, the squad is well-equipped to handle the challenge. “Obviously playing without Mbappe changes things a bit, but not much,” he stated during a press conference.

The coach emphasized that the team has previously adapted to his absence, recalling last season when they had to navigate matches without him. “It’s a pity that he’s not here, but we can cover for his absence well,” Ancelotti affirmed.

With a wealth of attacking talent still available, including Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, and in-form Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid aims to maintain their strong performance. Vinicius has recently regained his stride and is poised to take the lead against Atletico. However, he faces the challenge of racially charged abuse from some Atletico fans, an unfortunate issue that has marred past encounters.

Ancelotti chose not to delve into this controversy but expressed his belief that the upcoming match would be an entertaining spectacle. He also recalled Real Madrid’s defeat at Atletico in September 2023 and the team’s impressive 39-match unbeaten run in La Liga since then.

“It’s a difficult game, that’s clear, but each match has its own story,” Ancelotti said. “We have a plan, and we’ll see if it goes well. Avoiding the mistakes from last year will be crucial, and we hope to apply what we’ve learned.”

In positive news for the squad, Ancelotti confirmed that French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is fit and ready to participate in the derby, adding depth to Real Madrid’s lineup. As the players prepare for this crucial La Liga encounter, all eyes will be on how they adapt in the absence of Kylian Mbappe.