This follows Real Madrid’s first penalty opportunity of the season in midweek. During their 1-1 draw with Las Palmas, the Spanish champions were awarded a spot-kick in the second half after a handball offense.
A discussion took place, and it was ultimately decided that Vinícius Jr. would take the penalty, converting it confidently to earn Real Madrid a draw. This left summer signing Kylian Mbappé, who had been Paris Saint-Germain’s primary penalty-taker, watching from the sidelines as he endured his third consecutive scoreless match.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, it was unsurprising that Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the penalty-taking order in his squad. In his response, the Italian coach revealed that decisions on who takes penalties will be made between his two star attackers during matches.Regarding the penalty taker, Ancelotti said, “I think it’s right to entrust the responsibility to Vinícius and Mbappé, as they both have the same quality for taking penalties. Many factors can influence the decision during a game; one might have already scored, or the other might need a goal. I have confidence in both to decide who takes the penalty. I don’t see a problem with this.” Carlo Ancelotti’s comments indicate a flexible approach to penalty-taking at Real Madrid, where both Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé are trusted to decide among themselves who takes the spot-kick during matches. Ancelotti emphasized that both players possess the necessary quality and skill for penalties, and various in-game factors, such as a player’s need for a goal or their confidence level, could influence their decision. This strategy reflects Ancelotti’s confidence in his star forwards’ ability to make the right call on the pitch, suggesting a collaborative rather than a rigid approach to handling key moments in games.
