Let’s be frank: the rustic Butarque municipal stadium and its 12,454 seats were probably not ticked off as one of the events of the year by Kylian Mbappé. However, on the lawn of Leganés (14e of Liga), the Madrid adventure of the captain of the Blues may have taken a turning point. Without talking about the advent (far from it), the Frenchman will perhaps keep the memory of a trigger this Sunday, November 24, 2024, during a 3-0 success for his team full of positive signals for him and Real Madrid, returned to 4 points behind FC Barcelona with a late match to play. And, above all, by perhaps having found the formula to align Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior together, without frustrating one. Even if the Brazilian’s absence for three weeks pushes back the time for confirmation.
Bons baisers d’Anfield Road ?
With Vinícius on the sidelines, Mbappé will thus be able to continue to eat in this left lane for some time, while Carlo Ancelotti started him there for the first time against Leganés. Result ? From the start, Kyk’s is much sharper and more present, without being lethal, like a new goal refused for offside (10e), a sign of certain impatience. But after a month without scoring and two international breaks away from Clairefontaine, the captain of the Blues put an end to long weeks of waiting with a caviar from Vinícius, who served him in front of the empty goal, before the break. Enough to boost the confidence of the Habs, very visible in the first act, before falling a little more into line during the second, while Ancelotti had placed him back in the axis.
“He had a very good match. He is more used to playing in this position and today, for the team and for him, it was better. Because he was fresher than Vinícius, who was returning from selection, and the center forward position is less physically tiring. But I find that the two are getting better and better”explained the Italian. “Playing right, left, center, that’s the story of my career and I don’t care. What I want is to play well, help the team and score a lot of goals.”for his part brushed off the Frenchman, diplomat. His attitude was also praised by the opposing captain, Sergio Gonzalez: « I want to highlight his attitude, because it is very good. He is an example for the children who watch him, he had very good behavior and nice gestures with us. There are players who, on the pitch, are not an example, but Mbappé is. »
He is an example for the children who watch him, he had very good behavior and nice gestures with us. There are players who, on the pitch, are not an example, but Mbappé is.
A goal to kick off his own (before those of Valverde and Bellingham), compliments from the coach and even the opponent, a Madrid press which drew its first acronym BMV (Bellingham-Mbappé-Vinícius)… All the visionaries are gradually moving on to little green for Kylian Mbappé, yet author of a performance far from brilliant in Leganés, like his failed face-to-face at the 82e. However, we will remember the promises of his growing understanding with Vinícius, beyond the decisive pass from the Brazilian, even if the latter means a lot. Absent for at least three weeks because of his biceps femoris, the Ballon d’Or who was not there leaves the field open to the Frenchman for a few matches. Starting with the upcoming clash in the Champions League at Anfield, a pitch much harder to conquer than the Estadio Butarque, facing Reds in steamroller mode. And this, while Real Madrid, after four days, are 18e of C1 with 6 points. The kind of evening, for once, ticked off by Kylian Mbappé.
Vinícius Júnior will miss the next Real matches
