Luka Modric admits Real Madrid's missed penalty was a huge moment in the defeat to Liverpool but says Kylian Mbappe will do well at the club.
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Mbappe missed penalty in Liverpool lossWas unable to step up with key players missingModric has faith Frenchman will deliverFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Modric captained Los Blancos for their trip to Anfield on Wednesday night in the Champions League but it was a match the Croatian will want to forget quickly. Mbappe's decisive penalty miss at 1-0 down proved costly and while the midfielder admits it was a huge chance in the match, he has no doubts his French team-mate will step up and deliver in crucial moments eventually.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT MODRIC SAID
Speaking after the game, Modric said: "We had the penalty that could have changed the game and we didn’t take advantage of it and with the score at 2-0 we were almost lost."
The 39-year-old added: "We see him [Mbappe] doing well, training well and with confidence. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t, especially with the penalty. We have confidence in him and we’re sure he’ll do very well."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
If Madrid are to retain their European crown, they are going to need more from their summer signing. With just one goal in four Champions League games for the 25-year-old, Mbappe is way below his usual standards. He is capable of performing on the big stage but must get over the reality that he is not the focal point of his new team while discovering a way to work seamlessly as either a winger or striker under Carlo Ancelotti.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MADRID?
The Spanish giants remain outside of the play-off places in the Champions League standings. With three games left to go, they need to start winning games if they are to have any chance of playing for a place in the knockout rounds of Europe's elite competition. They face Atalanta, RB Salzburg and Brest in their remaining fixtures.
