Carlo Ancelotti explains why Kylian Mbappé was taken off early for Real Madrid vs Real Betis | OneFootball

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has provided an explanation for his decision to haul star attacker Kylian Mbappé off prematurely in the club’s latest fixture.

Real Madrid are of course fresh off something of an outing to forget on Saturday evening.

After making the trip to Seville for a La Liga meeting with Real Betis, Los Blancos took the lead early on, courtesy of Brahim Díaz.

After Johnny Cardoso levelled things up a short time later, however, a former member of the midfield ranks in Madrid came back to haunt the reigning Spanish champions.

Stepping up to the penalty spot, Isco slotted home what proved to be the game’s decisive goal early in the 2nd-half.

With Real Madrid scrambling for an equaliser, it therefore came as a major surprise when Carlo Ancelotti opted to hook none other than Kylian Mbappé from proceedings late on.

The Frenchman was replaced by youngster Endrick 15 minutes from time, a decision which was inevitably put to Real’s headmaster post-match.

And Ancelotti went on to explain:

“Subbing off Mbappé? He wasn’t at his best level, because he didn’t train with us often in the last days (due to a tooth issue). He wasn’t at 100%.”

Conor Laird – GSFN