Kylian Mbappe has reportedly issued an apology after missing another penalty in another Real Madrid loss.
Los Blancos are now four points adrift of Barcelona at the top of La Liga standings after suffering a devastating 2-1 loss at Athletic Club on Wednesday night.
Mbappe, who hasn’t been able to please the club’s discerning fans since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, had another challenging night.
Alejandro Berenguer bundled the ball across the line after Thibaut Courtois parried Inaki Williams’ cross, giving Athletic the lead. When Athletic goalie Julen Agirrezabala caught Antonio Rudiger attempting to punch clear a cross in the penalty area, Real were given the opportunity to level the score.
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Mbappe took his time leading up to his penalty, but he telegraphed his side-footed attempt to the left of the goalie, and Agirrezabala easily swept it away.
The penalty that Caoimhin Kelleher stopped in Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League victory against Real Madrid last week was nearly identical.
It would turn out to be costly once more. After Agirrezabala diverted Mbappe’s effort into the path of Jude Bellingham, who equalized off a rebound.
However, an error by Fede Valverde allowed Gorka Guruzeta to slide past Courtois and give the home team a 2-1 victory.
What Did Mbappe Say About His Performance For Real Madrid?
According to The Mirror, taking to Instagram after the match, the 25-year-old felt compelled to apologise, writing: “Bad result. A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am.”
Mbappe has made 19 appearances for Real Madrid so far this season, scoring 10 goals and dishing out two assists, but he hasn’t yet proven to be the elite striker they believed they had acquired from PSG on a free transfer.
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