Without Vinicius and Rodrygo, who are injured, and with Thibaut Courtois standing out as a key figure, Kylian Mbappé became the face of Real Madrid’s defeat. This was reflected in major Spanish newspapers in relation to the player who arrived as a free signing this season after his spell at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Journalist Juan Ignacio García-Ochoa highlighted in Marca that he “had a disastrous match” when he was most expected to shine, especially after the ‘9’ missed a penalty when the score was 0-1: “He is a shadow of what he is supposed to be whatever.”
Meanwhile, writer José María Rodríguez stated that Kiki “extended her melancholy, disconnected herself.” In this sense, Belén Martín rated him with a 3 in the morning newspaper, the lowest rating, alongside Ferland Mendy. In her review, she wrote that “things didn’t work out for him; the team looked for him but couldn’t find him, and when it came time to defend, he didn’t” in the first half. The criticism continued in the second half: “Kylian is not responding… every ball that reaches him is a lost ball. He is not sharp. A difficult match for the ‘9’, every lost ball was a clear counterattack. “
* The penalty missed by Kylian Mbappé
AS, another Madrid newspaper, labeled the night a “black night” and claimed that Mbappé appeared “clumsy”, lackluster and disappeared. In a different vein, Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo rejoiced in their classic rival’s misadventures, using the term “debacle” to describe the White club’s performance, which showed “all its vulnerabilities” against an unstoppable Liverpool.
Spanish portals also covered another highlight of the English night: Alexis Mac Allister. The midfielder broke the deadlock in the 51st minute after a great wall pass near the box. “The Argentine knocked Madrid down with his football,” said García-Ochoa to Marca. He added: “He was an undetectable player, playing between the lines, who constantly troubled the Real Madrid defense. His impressive goal, after a great maneuver on the edge of the box and a wall pass, was the reward for an exceptional match.”
The midfielder was crucial in Liverpool’s victory, keeping them at the top of this first stage and paving the way for direct entry into the knockout stages. The Premier League leaders made a strong statement heading into the remainder of the season against the last UEFA Champions League winners, who recorded their third defeat in five matches. The numerous injuries have placed the responsibility on Kylian Mbappé to rescue his team in a complex scenario.
* Or goal by Alexis Mac Allister
His poor performance culminated in a controversial gesture, when he left the field alone towards the locker room while his teammates remained on the field. Courtois was even seen giving away his shirt to visiting fans as a gesture of appreciation for having traveled from various corners of the world to watch Real Madrid.
In a press conference, his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, opted for patience as the best remedy while waiting for Mbappé to raise his level: “It often happens that attackers have difficulties scoring. There is a remedy, which is to be patient. It’s a complicated moment for him, especially after missing the penalty.” “He has everyone’s support. The player is a little disappointed, but he needs to look forward,” he said in conversation with Movistar.
The loose format of the current Champions League is a relief for Real Madrid, as they will face Atalanta in Bergamo on Tuesday, December 10, and will only decide their qualification against Salzburg at the Bernabéu and Brest in France next January. What is between these games? The final of the Club World Cup and the Spanish Super Cup, where they will face Mallorca in the semi-finals, and if they win, their rival in the final will be either Athletic Club or Barcelona. “The European champions are on the ropes,” said Rodríguez in Marca. These two titles could bring them back into the spotlight.
