Ancelotti Names Penalty Taker, Reunites Star Trio for Betis

Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has provided clarity on the club’s penalty-taking responsibilities as the team prepares to face Real Betis in their upcoming La Liga match on Sunday night. With the start of the season proving to be a mixed bag for Los Blancos, Ancelotti has been carefully considering his attacking options, particularly in light of the team’s recent form and the ongoing debate over who should take penalties.

Ancelotti’s decision to field a strong attacking lineup against Betis signals his intention to secure a decisive victory after a somewhat shaky start to the La Liga campaign. Real Madrid has secured just one win and two draws from their opening three games, a record that falls short of the club’s high expectations. The team’s offensive output has also been a point of concern, with only five goals scored in those matches, two of which came after Ancelotti made significant changes to his forward line.

The Italian manager, known for his tactical acumen, hinted that he would likely revert to the attacking trio of Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior, a combination that has the potential to become one of the most feared in European football. This decision comes after Ancelotti’s brief experiment with Brahim Díaz in the starting lineup against Las Palmas, a move that did not yield the desired results. Brahim was substituted at halftime following a lackluster performance, leading to speculation that Ancelotti would return to his more established attacking players for the Betis clash.

The spotlight, however, remains firmly on the issue of penalty-taking. Both Mbappé and Vinícius have expressed a strong desire to take on the responsibility, adding an intriguing subplot to Real Madrid’s attacking dynamics. Vinícius, who has been assigned the left-wing position, has demonstrated a cool head under pressure, converting five penalties in a row since his only miss in a friendly for Brazil in 2018. On the other hand, Mbappé, despite his status as one of the world’s top forwards, has had a more mixed record from the spot, missing two of his last four penalties for Paris Saint-Germain before his summer move to Madrid.

Ancelotti, for his part, has decided to take a more flexible approach to the situation, placing trust in his players to make the right decision on the pitch. “It is right to give the responsibility to both Mbappé and Vinícius,” Ancelotti stated in a pre-match press conference. “I prefer that they decide because I have a lot of confidence in them. It will depend on how they are in the match and what each one needs.” This statement underscores Ancelotti’s belief in the importance of player autonomy and his willingness to allow his stars to express themselves freely on the field.

The decision is not without its risks, however. In the 2023/24 season, Real Madrid has already seen five different players step up to take penalties, with varying degrees of success. Joselu and Vinícius have been the most prolific, with the former scoring one and missing two, while Vinícius has converted all three of his attempts. Jude Bellingham also managed to score his solitary penalty, while Rodrygo Goes and Luka Modrić failed to convert their efforts. This inconsistency from the spot could potentially become a point of contention as the season progresses, especially if Real Madrid finds itself in tightly contested matches where every goal counts.

Ancelotti’s handling of the situation will be closely scrutinized, particularly if the team continues to struggle for goals. The Italian coach is well aware that his side’s success this season will depend heavily on the performances of his star forwards. While Mbappé has yet to open his account in La Liga, having only scored in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, Ancelotti remains confident in the Frenchman’s ability to make a significant impact. “If we think about defensive work, Kylian is the last one we have to think about. He is playing very well even though he has not scored, his influence creates danger,” Ancelotti said, defending Mbappé’s contributions beyond just goals.

The allocation of the left-wing position to Vinícius Júnior, despite the preference of all three forwards for that role, is another aspect of Ancelotti’s strategy that will be tested in the coming matches. Vinícius has been given the freedom to operate in his favored position, while Mbappé and Rodrygo have been encouraged to adapt their games accordingly. This tactical setup, however, places significant pressure on Vinícius to deliver consistently, especially given the expectations surrounding his development into one of the team’s key players.

As Real Madrid prepares for the clash against Real Betis, the focus will not only be on securing three points but also on how the team’s attacking unit functions under the spotlight. Ancelotti’s decisions regarding the starting lineup and penalty duties will be pivotal, with the outcome of the match likely to set the tone for the rest of the season. Whether Mbappé, Vinícius, or another player ultimately takes on the role of first-choice penalty taker, the responsibility will come with the weight of Real Madrid’s ambitions resting heavily on their shoulders.