'You have to applaud Kylian Mbappe's decision' - Guti backs Real Madrid star after latest costly mistake

Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti had some positives to take away from Kylian Mbappe's disappointing performance against Athletic Club on Wednesday night. Real Madrid visited San Mames for a crucial LaLiga fixture, in which Mbappe failed to convert from the spot with the match delicately poised at 1-0 in the favour of the hosts. Jude Bellingham equalised in the 78th minute, but substitute Gorka Guruzeta scored the winner two minutes later to hand Madrid their second league loss of the season.

Mbappe has had a tough start to life as a Real Madrid player after joining from PSG on a free transfer last summer. The Frenchman has often looked unsettled, and although there have been flashes of his quality, he has largely looked devoid of the confidence that fans have been so accustomed to seeing from him.

Last week, against Liverpool, Mbappe had the perfect opportunity to turn the corner. Vinicius Jr. was out with injury, which meant that Mbappe got an opportunity to play in his preferred position on the left. However, he hit a straightforward penalty that Caoimhin Kelleher saved with ease as Madrid lost the game 2-0.

Madrid then hosted Getafe at the weekend and won 2-0. Mbappe got himself on the scoresheet, but not before he handed over the penalty duties to Bellingham, who duly delivered an ice-cool penalty. Additionally, he had a flurry of gilt-edged opportunities, and could in fact have taken home the match ball, but was let down with his lack of composure in the final third.

Against Bilbao, a stern test awaited. Los Leones were fourth on the table and were one of the in-form teams in the league. The onus was on Mbappe to lead his side from the front and he had the chance to do exactly that in the 68th minute, when the Bilbao goalkeeper took out Antonio Rudiger while trying to punch away the ball from an incoming set piece. However, the 2022 World Cup top goal scorer missed his second consecutive penalty within a week and Madrid went on to lose the game 2-1.

“You have to applaud Mbappe's decision to take the penalty," said Guti on DAZN (h/t MARCA). "Mbappe has always taken it. Here, in France [national team] or at PSG, and even if he missed the one against Liverpool, if there's another one you have to shoot it. Even though it is true that it's badly taken.

"It is a little bit shot like the one in the Liverpool match. At half height, where they give a lot of advantage to the goalkeeper to be able to stop it. Mbappe is not well positioned, and then, the truth is that he makes it very clear. I think he opens his foot wide, making it very clear where he is going to hit.”

Madrid had the chance to keep the heat on Barcelona, given that they were four points behind their rivals with two games in hand ahead of the clash against Athletic Club. With that loss, though, Ancelotti's troops find themselves four points behind Barca with just one game in hand now. Their next game is a tricky away fixture against Girona on Saturday, December 7.