Kylian Mbappe is still "looking for the best form", but "he knows what he has to do" in the first "El Clasico" on Saturday.
This is what the coach of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, said on Friday at the press conference, on the eve of the derby match with Barcelona.
Real Madrid - Barcelona is played on Saturday from 21:00 at "Santiago Bernabeu".
The Frenchman has scored eight goals since joining the Spanish giants from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, while he has scored just one goal since suffering an injury at the end of September.
He is expected to break out in the first classic on Saturday. Against the team from Catalonia, Mbappe has scored six goals in four games while he was a PSG player. Ancelotti believes that the French superstar is very well prepared for this battle.
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"He has the experience and has often played against Barcelona", said Ancelotti. "He knows what he has to do. The way he prepared for the match was very calm, but very direct. He believes in his qualities. We believe that he will bring something good to the team. He also believes the same".
In the last two editions before the move to Madrid, Mbappe scored 85 goals in all competitions, but he still needs time to adapt to the Real Madrid jersey.
Ancelotti has said he is pleased with the start of Mbappe's career in La Liga and believes he "will improve" with time.
"We are satisfied. Mbappe has scored goals, he has been important for the team. He is looking for the best form and we are in no rush. Neither is he. He will improve because he has the qualities", declared Ancelotti.
Barcelona is the leader with 27 points, three more than Real Madrid in second place and Ancelotti expects a difficult game against the team led by Hansi Flick.
Barcelona's only loss was against Osasuna in September and they have started almost perfectly with results.
Barcelona also impressed in the Champions League by destroying Bayern Munich 4:1 on Wednesday night. Coach Flick has also made Robert Lewandowski find the best form.
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Ancelotti has been full of praise for Real's eternal rival.
"Barcelona is doing a good job. In matches such as 'Clasico' it is difficult to know who is the favourite. But, fortunately, no one has made me lose sleep so far."
The coach of Real also revealed his admiration for Barcelona's Lamine Yamali. The 17-year-old is in great form. It also shone in "Euro 2024" when Spain triumphed in the European Championship. So far, he has five goals and seven assists in 13 appearances this season with Barcelona.
It is a big match, said the coach of Barca, Flick.
Flick has emphasized that two of the biggest rivals in football will play.
"For this we give everything. We must also win the 'Clasico'. It is our duty. Everyone who starts playing football wants to play in the 'Clasico'. But this is the truth. In Germany we have some matches called 'Clasico' as well. But they are not compared to Barcelona against Real Madrid, or vice versa. Everyone is happy and should just enjoy themselves. And it takes a lot of work to be satisfied. And we will do this", declared Flick.
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Under the direction of Flick, Lewandowski is also shining. Lewandowski has 15 goals in 13 appearances under the guidance of the former coach at Bayern. Raphinha is also shining, who recently scored a "hat-trick" in the Champions League against the Bavarians.
"Now we will play against Real Madrid, the team with world-class players. I have faith in my team because everyone is playing for each other. This is the most important thing. Everyone knows their job. And our power is when we are united", declared Flick.
