Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday afternoon that he doesn't ask striker Kylian Mbappe to pressure rivals high up the pitch as he would prefer he focuses on scoring goals.

Real Madrid player Kylian Mbappe scores his first goal during La Liga football match between Real Madrid and Real Betis, in Santiago Bernabeu stadium, Madrid, Spain, Sept. 1, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

Speaking to the press ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie at home to Borussia Dortmund (in what is a repeat of last season's final), Ancelotti admitted he preferred to play rivals who were willing to take the game to his side.

"End to end matches are good for us, we have more problems against rivals who defend deep," said the coach, who added that his side needed to improve in defense as they were "less solid," than last season.

However, one player who won't be asked to help out at the back is Mbappe: "I want him to score goals, I'd rather he scored goals than pressured rivals. I want Mbappe to be ready for when we win the ball back," said the coach.

"We aren't at our best, but we are getting good results," continued Ancelotti, who defended the form of Jude Bellingham, who has yet to score for his club this season. He said he was "satisfied," with Bellingham because "he works hard on the pitch."

"He always competes, battles and makes a sacrifice, and although he hasn't scored goals this season, but the surprise was that he scored so many last season," commented the coach.

Ancelotti also looked at Borussia Dortmund, who now have Nuri Sahin (who had a spell as a Real Madrid player) as coach.

"They have changed, first of all the coach, and also some players, but they maintain their idea of playing intense football and they will be demanding rivals," he commented.

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