‘We must protect the coach’ – Kylian Mbappé urges unity at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé insists Real Madrid must shield coach Xabi Alonso as the team continues to build momentum following Wednesday’s 4-3 Champions League win at Olympiakos.

The French striker, whose father is Cameroonian and his mother Algerian, was pivotal in Athens, scoring all four goals to secure the dramatic victory.

“I feel good, I’m very happy. Scoring goals is always a pleasure for me. My teammates give me lots of great passes. I’m very lucky to play in this team with all the players in the squad. I always try to score; sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t, but I always intend to help my team,” Mbappé said after the match.

He stressed the importance of unity at Real Madrid: “I think it’s looking good. Of course, there are things we need to improve. I know people talk a lot from the outside.

“When you play for a club like Madrid, it’s normal for people to talk. We have to protect the players, the coach and everyone in the squad because, at the end of the day, we’re all in this together.”

Mbappé added that the support of fans is crucial: “I’m not going to say that we’re against people from outside, but at the end of the day we’re together and with all the Madrid fans.

“I know that the Madrid fans are with us. We must be proud and give our all for this badge because we have a lot to play for this season.”

Reflecting on the match, the 26-year-old forward said: “It was important to win to stay in the top eight, which is the team’s goal for the first half of the season. It was quite a tough match. We know it’s difficult to win here.”