Mbappe Admits Madrid Fell Short
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe offered a candid assessment after his side failed to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League. Speaking after Wednesday’s defeat, Mbappe said the team lacked consistency and fully deserved its position in the play-off round.
The Spanish giants slipped to ninth in the league phase table following a 4–2 loss away to Benfica, coached by Jose Mourinho. The result denied Madrid direct qualification to the last 16 and forced them into a February play-off tie.
Defeat in Lisbon Ends Momentum
The loss came as a sharp reality check for Madrid, which had won its previous three matches under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa. That brief resurgence ended in Lisbon, where Benfica outplayed the 15-time European champions across key phases of the match.
As a result, Madrid will now face either Benfica again or Bodo/Glimt in a two-legged play-off instead of enjoying a clear run into the knockout stages.
Consistency is the Core Issue
Mbappe did not attempt to soften the verdict. He said Madrid’s inability to deliver consistent performances had finally caught up with them.
“The problem is we aren’t consistent in our play,” he told reporters. “You can’t have one day where you play well and another where you don’t. A champion team does not do that.”
He added that Benfica were the better side on the night and that Madrid had earned their difficult path forward.
No Single Explanation for the Collapse
Despite scoring twice in the defeat, Mbappe said he could not isolate one specific reason for the poor display. Instead, he described the problem as a combination of factors.
He rejected the idea that it came down to attitude or basic footballing quality. According to Mbappe, Champions League matches punish even small lapses, and opponents will take advantage if a team fails to arrive fully prepared.
His message was clear. At this level, margins decide outcomes, and Madrid failed to control those margins.
Play-Offs Add Pressure, Not Time
Mbappe admitted the situation was painful, particularly because the team had hoped to use February to refine its game rather than play extra matches.
“It hurts to have to play those games,” he said, pointing to the physical and mental toll of an extended European campaign.
Call for Support at the Bernabeu
Despite the setback, Mbappe urged fans to stand behind the team rather than turn on them. He referenced earlier boos at the Santiago Bernabeu and asked supporters to rally behind the squad ahead of Sunday’s La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano.
He reminded fans that Madrid remains alive in the Champions League and is building momentum domestically.
“If the Bernabeu is with us,” Mbappe said, “we will win on Sunday.”
Reality Accepted, Fight Still On
Madrid’s Champions League campaign has become more complicated, but not terminal. Mbappe’s remarks reflected acceptance rather than panic.
The message from the dressing room was direct. Real Madrid earned this position. What follows now depends on whether they correct the inconsistencies that cost them a smoother path.
Real Madrid’s French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe reacts after a missed chance during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, on May 14, 2025.
AFP
Source Gulf News
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