Champions League: Mbappe focused on Tuesday’s match against Stuttgart than Madrid penalty taker
Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League title defence kicks off on September 17, as they play host to VfB Stuttgart in the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos returned to La Liga action from the international break with a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
And the club star signing Kylian Mbappe is not focusing on penalty talk at Real Madrid ahead of a crunch period of games.
Penalties are a major talking point in Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti confirming he is happy to allow the pair of Mbappe and Vinicius Jr rotate between them.
Prior to victory in San Sebastian, the duo had scored one spot kick each, and Mbappe scored the second of the night in the Basque Country.
Vinicius Junior seems to have the edge in seniority for spot kicks but Mbappe is not looking at the situation with any great attention.
“Every game I feel better. I understand what the team, the manager and my teammates need and I’m sure on Tuesday I can help them and start the Champions League with a win”, the superstar told Marca.
“The important thing is that all four penalties were goals, not who took them.
“I came to Madrid to experience those kind of Champions League nights. I’m very focused on what we have to do, the Champions League has changed, it’s a new competition and we have to win.”
Ancelotti confirmed at full time in the Basque Country that he is considering rotations due to injury issues in his backline.
Eder Militao completed a full 90 minutes, despite suffering an injury on international duty with Brazil, but the schedule is packed for Ancelotti’s charges.
Militao is OK to face the Bundesliga side, but Ancelotti said his centre backs will need to rotate, with Jesus Vallejo potentially coming in.
David Alaba is not expected to return and Aurelien Tchouameni missed out this weekend due to injury and his status remains on unclear.
