France forward Kylian Mbappe said he will take full responsibility for a “big mistake” after he missed another penalty in champions Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga on Wednesday.
A week after Mbappe failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool, he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage.
Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss.
However, substitute Gorka Guruzeta snatched fourth-place Athletic victory in the 80th minute after a Fede Valverde error.
The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.
The French superstar said in a post on Instagram after the game: “A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it.
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“A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am.”
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said Mbappe was downhearted after goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala saved his penalty.
“Obviously Mbappe is sad, disappointed, but he has to continue,” the Italian told reporters.
Mbappe has scored 10 goals in his first 20 games for Madrid across all competitions but is struggling for consistency.
“He’s not at his best level but we have to give him time to adapt, he’s scored 10 goals, he can do better and he’s working to do that,” Ancelotti added.
Madrid were hoping to build on three consecutive wins in La Liga, despite missing Vinicius Junior and other injured stars, with Ancelotti bringing French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.
Last season, Real Madrid lost just twice across all competitions on their way to a LaLiga and Champions League double, but this was their fifth defeat of the current campaign.
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