Mbappe and Vinicius: Unfazed by Critics, Focused on Firepower

Mbappe and Vinicius: Unfazed by Critics, Focused on Firepower

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has praised strikers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior for shrugging off criticism and staying focused on their game. Despite a slow start to the season, the duo has shown no signs of letting the pressure get to them, with Mbappe scoring a brace in his last outing and Vinicius working hard to regain his spark.

In a press conference on Friday, Ancelotti expressed his admiration for the pair's mental toughness. "Mbappe and Vinicius are training well and seem happy," he said. "They're not affected by the criticism, and that's important. They're progressing every day, and I'm confident they'll reach their full potential soon." Ancelotti also defended Vinicius, who has faced criticism for his lackluster performances. "Vinicius is not at his best, but he's still very important for us," he said. "He always works well, and it's just a matter of time before he's back to his best. When a player is not 100 percent, the important thing is that he gives all he can."

The Italian coach also acknowledged that Mbappe and Vinicius are still adjusting to their new roles in the team. "They started pre-season in the middle of August, so they didn't have a full pre-season," he explained. "But they're improving their fitness with each game, and that's positive."

Ancelotti also discussed the challenges of managing a team with high expectations. "When you're at a big club like Real Madrid, there's always pressure to perform," he said. "But I think our players are handling it well. They're focused on their work and committed to improving every day."

With Real Madrid facing Real Sociedad on Saturday and Stuttgart in the Champions League on Tuesday, Ancelotti will be hoping his star strikers can continue to silence their critics and deliver the goods on the pitch. The coach also provided an update on the fitness of midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni, who are recovering from injuries. "They won't be ready for the trip to San Sebastian, but we'll see in the next few days if they're available on Tuesday," he said.

Overall, Ancelotti is confident that his team has the talent and determination to succeed this season. "We have a strong squad and a good balance of youth and experience," he said. "I'm excited to see how the season unfolds."