Ancelotti defend Mbappe as Madrid faces Leganes on Sunday

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied that Kylian Mbappe needs to play in a certain position or has asked for a particular role on the pitch since joining during the summer.

Mbappe's arrival on a free transfer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain was seen as another major upgrade for a Madrid side that had just won La Liga and the Champions League.

Yet the Frenchman, despite scoring eight times across all competitions, has struggled to find his feet. Madrid have switched formations since last season's domestic and European double to accommodate Mbappe in the same team as Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.

Mbappe isn't as well suited to playing centrally as he is on the left, where he thrived for PSG. But Vini is immovable in that role, while Bellingham has been suppressed by now playing deeper.

"Kylian has never asked me for a position on the pitch," Ancelotti told reporters.

"They all want to be in the starting XI, they don't have a fixed position and can be changed depending on the match situations.

“All strikers have had a bad run, if they don't score they get frustrated. I see him motivated and happy to train with his teammates. Sooner or later the run will stop. Tomorrow he will have a great game [against Leganes] because it is just a matter of time.

"He has incredible quality and sooner or later he will show it."

Mbappe was surprisingly left out of the France squad for internationals earlier this month. The 25-year-old didn't play for his country in October amid a niggling fitness concern but his second successive omission came after not missing a club game in almost two months.

Madrid return to action Sunday night against Leganes on match day 14 of La Liga and have confirmed their squad list ahead of the trip to Municipal de Butarque.

The list of players called up makes it very clear how deep the Merengues are in their ongoing injury crisis with several key names missing out on selection and even reportedly doubts against Liverpool next week.

Eder Militao, after having suffered an ACL injury against Osasuna, is out of the squad and will not feature again this season. Rodrygo and Lucas Vazquez, who were also injured on the same night, miss out on a call-up as well.

Young Raul Asencio has thus earned a call-up once more and is joined from the quarry by Diego Aguado who could make his debut on the night.

The midfield is more or less complete with Aurelien Tchouameni being the only notable absentee. Notably, however, Federico Valverde is expected to play in defence, thus limiting the manager’s midfield options.

While the list of absentees is indeed long, Thibaut Courtois’ return to the squad is a reason to celebrate for Los Blancos. The Belgian could indeed start on the night and Carlo Ancelotti will look to count on him.

Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the attack after the two-week hiatus, but Brahim Diaz will also look to make an impact as he is available for selection at Municipal de Butarque.

The focus will indeed be on securing the three points and potentially closing the gap with Barcelona. It will not be easy, however, especially given their relatively poor record at the venue in recent appearances.