Ancelotti gets angry when asked about Mbappe.

Spain: Before the match against Getafe in the fourth round of La Liga, coach Carlo Ancelotti looked puzzled and frowned when repeatedly asked about the possibility of recruiting striker Kylian Mbappe.

After the summer break, Ancelotti was constantly asked about the possibility of signing Mbappe – the striker who had conflicts with and been expelled from the PSG first team – in every press conference.

At the press conference on September 1st, the Italian coach was asked about the possibility of him taking a pay cut to help the club recruit Mbappe. Ancelotti looked puzzled, frowned, and said: "I don't understand this question and what the point of reducing Mbappe's salary is. Mbappe is not a Real Madrid player, and I don't like talking about players from other clubs, out of respect."

Ancelotti at a press conference at the Bernabeu on September 1st, ahead of today's match against Getafe on September 2nd. Photo: realmadrid.com — Ancelotti at a press conference at the Bernabeu on September 1st, ahead of today's match against Getafe on September 2nd. Photo: *realmadrid.com*

Earlier this summer, Mbappe announced he would not activate his contract extension until June 2025, leading to his expulsion from the PSG first team, exclusion from their Asian tour, and subsequent listing on the transfer market. However, Mbappe only wanted to join Real Madrid – a club unwilling to spend over $100 million on a player with only one year left on his contract. Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal were willing to pay a transfer fee of $300 million, but Mbappe refused.

The conflict between the two sides was resolved after Mbappe promised to extend his contract and not leave as a free agent. Subsequently, the 2018 World Cup winner returned to play from the second round of Ligue 1, scoring three goals against Toulouse and Lens.

Ancelotti confirmed Real Madrid will not be signing any more strikers, despite Vinicius suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win against Celta Vigo in La Liga's third round on August 25th and facing the risk of being sidelined for six weeks. The Italian coach expressed satisfaction with the transfer activity and assessed Real Madrid's squad as having a blend of youth and experience. "We have had some injury problems, but the squad is very good and we can replace those injured players without much difficulty. Real Madrid has enough resources to compete in all competitions," he emphasized.

The 64-year-old coach insisted he would not change the diamond formation that had worked well in the first three La Liga matches just because of Vinicius' injury. "We will replace Vinicius with a player with different characteristics and try to adjust our attacking play," Ancelotti analyzed. "If Joselu plays, Real will cross more. And Brahim Diaz playing will give Real more players to connect the lines. Alongside him is still Rodrygo, a very complete and versatile striker."

In the win against Celta Vigo, Ancelotti was angry when Luka Modric – who was tasked with taking penalties – failed to convert his own, and then Rodrygo missed his. When asked about the order in which Real Madrid players take penalties, the Italian coach revealed that Joselu would be prioritized if he were on the field, followed by Modric and then Vinicius.

According to the Champions League group stage draw on August 31st, Real Madrid is in Group C with Napoli (Italy), Braga (Portugal), and Union Berlin (Germany). Ancelotti emphasized his respect for all opponents, noting that Napoli played very well to win Serie A last season, Union Berlin plays cohesively and has a solid defense, while Braga pursues an attractive attacking style of play.

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