Real Madrid right-back Lucas Vázquez has hit out at the “collective” effort of the entire team after a difficult spell for the reigning Spanish and European champions.
Madrid were defeated in the Champions League by AC Milan on Tuesday night, having also been humiliated by Barcelona at the Bernabéu in their last domestic game.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked set to dominate Europe again this season with the addition of Kylian Mbappe to an already stacked line-up. But the Frenchman has yet to hit peak form, while his inclusion as the focal point of the attack has also changed Jude Bellingham’s role and sidelined Rodrygo.
“The image we gave in these last games, conceding so many goals, is not the one we wanted to give. When you concede so many goals, it is difficult to win games,” said Vázquez, via Marcafter Milan’s result meant seven goals in just two games.
“Both defending and attacking is a collective issue and we have to give much more to be able to win games. Throughout each season there are always better and worse moments.
“We are going through a difficult and tough time. Things are not going the way we wanted, but we have to keep calm and keep working. It’s time we all grit our teeth and step forward. This is our business. and we will get through it” .
Vázquez wasn’t necessarily targeting Mbappé with his comments about the “collective”, but the high-profile summer arrival has sparked the ire of fans after his the performance statistics of the recent classic were revealedputting up far less of the hard yards than his teammates.
