Mbappe banishes reporter labelling Real Madrid ‘Team Mbappe’, urges support for Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was relaxed and content with their victory against Olympiakos on Wednesday night, with his side running out 4-3 winners over the Greek champions. However, he was also in a defiant mood, challenging a journalist on one of his questions in the mix zone.

Mbappe led the way for Real Madrid in Piraeus, scoring all four of their goals, which included a seven-minute hat-trick in the first half. The Frenchman continues to be the one player who has stepped up for Xabi Alonso regularly, and after the match, asked his teammates to ‘protect’ the Basque manager. Later, Alonso would praise Mbappe’s human qualities in his press conference.

Appearing in the mix zone after the game, Mbappe took questions from the press, but did not take kindly to one of them. He was asked if he felt that Real Madrid depended too much on his goals.

“You don’t have to say that. You have to say that Kylian is responsible for us winning. I think that’s a bad question, no disrespect intended.”

“Everyone has their job on the team. Mine is to score goals, but I can say that without other players, we don’t win matches. Every team has players who have a job to do, but I don’t think there’s any dependence or anything like that. I think it’s more something the journalists or outsiders make up.”

It’s certainly a subjective evaluation, given that Los Blancos would probably choose Mbappe to depend on Mbappe rather than anyone else. There is little doubt that his contributions make up a dramatic share of the team’s goals. Mbappe has scored 22 goals this season, amounting to 55% of their total of 40.

That in itself might not worry Alonso, but more concerning will be the fact that Real Madrid did not win any of the three games prior in which Mbappe did not score. Against Rayo Vallecano, Liverpool and Elche, Real Madrid managed just two goals, and both came from set pieces.

Meanwhile, Mbappe has called on his teammates to make an effort to protect both each other and coach Xabi Alonso. The Basque manager has been under pressure of late, with some questioning his relationship with the Real Madrid dressing room.

“That’s the goal. To win and give confidence to the group, the players, the coach, the staff, and everyone. I think the objective now is for the Madrid fans to feel that we are united and all rowing in the same direction. There may be times when the wind is strong, but nobody is going to jump ship; we are all together and united to win.”

Regarding Real Madrid’s defending, which was the negative of the night for Alonso, Mbappe said that he was keen to focus on the positives.

“We need to review the match. We had the game under control and created chances, situations… we have to keep going like this and look at the positives and improve on the negatives.”

Mbappe seemed to be keen to close ranks with his coach.

“I think the team is doing well. Of course, there are things to improve. When you play for a club like Real Madrid, it’s normal for people to talk. We players have to protect each other and the coach. We must stick together. The Madrid fans are behind us. We have a lot at stake this season, and we have to give everything for this badge.”

.