Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended Kylian Mbappe's recent performances, attributing his "ups and downs" to the demanding nature of the season and the inherent challenges faced by players of his quality.

Ancelotti spoke on Saturday, ahead of Madrid’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, acknowledging that inconsistency was a natural part of the striker's journey.

Mbappe, who had impressed with a hat-trick against Manchester City, struggled against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and in a previous La Liga match against Real Betis. His recent form had raised concerns among fans, especially after a period of good performances since his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain.

“What we saw is that against Atletico he did not do what he did against City,” Ancelotti said during the press conference. “Against City he scored three and against Atletico he did not score. I think on a general level he is doing very well and we're very happy with him, and we take into account – and he takes into account – that he is not always at his best level. The game against Atletico was not the best version of him.”

Mbappe had netted four goals in Madrid's Champions League tie against Manchester City, helping secure a 6-3 aggregate victory. The 26-year-old had amassed 28 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions, displaying his continued value to the team.

“In such a demanding season (inconsistency) is quite normal, above all in a player with such quality,” Ancelotti explained. “Players with quality have more ups and downs because it's something genetic, the player that has great quality finds it harder to have consistency, and that's what happened to him in that game. That said he's doing very well, and if we're in the Champions League last 16, it's because he's scored four goals in the (previous) tie.”

With Real Madrid sitting third in La Liga, three points behind leaders Barcelona, Ancelotti expressed confidence in his team's readiness to fight in all competitions. He also addressed a possible absence for Antonio Rudiger, with the centre-back reportedly ill ahead of the match against Rayo Vallecano.

“We're ready to fight in all games and in all competitions,” Ancelotti concluded. “I'm much calmer ahead of the game tomorrow because we've had five days of rest.”