Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe loves fronting up to the media, even if he’s in the wrong.
The France captain spoke in the mixed zone after a 4-2 defeat to Benfica knocked them out of the Champions League last 16 and into the play-offs.
Madrid saw red cards for Raul Asensio and Rodrygo before Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin sent Benfica into the play-offs with an incredible stoppage time header.
“It’s not normal,” Mbappe said post-match. “What we saw today wasn’t normal.
“Our clear objective was to qualify for the round of 16, to play two fewer matches.
“We started the match too casually. They deserved to score first, but we scored from a chance.
“We thought we were going to get into the rhythm of the match, but it was the opposite. They were better than us in the first half; if it had been 5-1, I wouldn’t have been surprised.
“We came out with different intentions in the second half, our goal hurt them a bit.
“We didn’t play with enough pace or creativity to create chances, and then they scored that last goal… It’s a disgrace.”
Despite Mbappe calling the final goal a disgrace, replays show he wasn’t even in shot as Madrid had six against 11 in their box.
While Real did need another goal for the last 16, Mbappe and Vinicius were both up the pitch, something he was quickly reminded of.
“He says Benfica’s last goal was a disgrace, but he was on the field and didn’t track back to defend either,” Spanish journalist Jesús Gallego pointed out.
“In the end, scoring goals is one thing, being involved in the team’s play is another.”
Manu Carreño agreed, adding: “I’ve always said that I’d take Mbappé as a goalscorer for my team, but I would ask more of Mbappé.
“I would ask for more influence on the game, more leadership, and more consideration for the team.
“Because it’s true that you can take three shots and he’ll score two. Having a striker like that is a guarantee of success, but I think we have to ask more of Mbappé.”
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