Kylian Mbappe missed his second consecutive penalty in Real Madrid’s defeat to Athletic Club last night and the pressure on him is now mounting fast.
The player, who is clearly suffering from a lack of confidence, did not step up to take the penalty against Getafe at the weekend and gave the chance to Jude Bellingham who put it away.
After a lot was made of his decision to give away the penalty-taking rights, he stepped up once again last night only to see Julen Agirrezabala go the same way as Caoimhin Kelleher and pull off a similar save.
Guti speaks on Mbappe’s technique
Speaking to the media after the game, Real Madrid legend and former striker Guti commented on Mbappe’s missed penalty at San Mames and pointed out everything wrong with the effort.
He began, however, by applauding the Frenchman for even stepping up to take the penalty amid his crisis of confidence.
“I applaud his decision to shoot it [the penalty].”
Guti has pointed out the flaw in Mbappe’s penalty technique. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
He then continued to praise the player for how he has always been spectacular from the spot, saying,
“He has always put them away. Here, in France or at PSG. Even if he failed at Liverpool, if there is another one you have to put it away. Although it is true that it is badly shot.”
Guti then elaborated on why he called Mbappe’s penalty ‘poorly’ shot and explained that the height at which he placed the ball did not help his case.
“It’s a bit drawn like the one in the Liverpool game. At half height, where they give the goalkeeper a lot of advantage to be able to stop him.”
He also spoke on how the Frenchman gave away his shot placement with his body language and technique, something that matters a lot at the elite level.
“Mbappe is not well located, and then he makes it very clear. I think he opens his foot a lot, making it very clear where he is going to hit.”
Having now missed two spot-kicks in a row, Mbappe finds himself under immense pressure, more so with the game against Athletic ending in a defeat.
The French superstar must step up in the games to come and turn around his situation as swiftly as possible.
Source: SPORT