Without Vinicius and Rodrygo, who are injured, and with Thibaut Courtois stepping up as the key figure, Kylian Mbappé became the face of defeat for Real Madrid. This was reflected in major Spanish newspapers regarding the player who arrived on a free transfer this season after his stint with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Journalist Juan Ignacio García-Ochoa noted 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 presumed to be.”
Meanwhile, writer José María Rodríguez asserted that Kiki “extended his melancholy, disconnected.” In that line, Belén Martín rated him a 3 in the morning paper, the lowest score, alongside Ferland Mendy. In her analysis, she wrote that “things did not work out for him; the team looked for him but could not find him, and when it was time to defend, he did not do so” in the first half. The criticism continued in the second half: “Kylian is not delivering… every ball that reaches him is a ball lost. He is not sharp. A tough match for the ‘9’, every lost ball was a clear counterattack.”
* The missed penalty by Kylian Mbappé
AS, another Madrid newspaper, labeled the night as a “black night” and stated that Mbappé appeared “clumsy,” lackluster, and disappeared. In a different tone, Mundo Deportivo, based in Barcelona, reveled in the misfortunes of the classic rival, using the term “debacle” to describe the performance of the white club, 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 area. “The Argentine toppled Madrid with his football,” stated García-Ochoa for Marca. He added: “He was an undetectable player, playing between the lines, who constantly troubled the Real Madrid defense. His stunning goal, following a great maneuver at the edge of the area and a wall pass, was the reward for an outstanding match.”
The midfielder was crucial in Liverpool’s triumph, keeping them at the top of this first phase and paving the way for a direct ticket to the knockout stages. The Premier League leaders delivered a strong statement regarding what remains of the season against the last UEFA Champions League winner, who registered their third loss in five matches. The numerous injuries placed the responsibility on Kylian Mbappé to rescue his team in a complex scenario.
* The goal by Alexis Mac Allister
His poor performance culminated in a controversial gesture, as he left the field alone heading to the locker room while his teammates remained on the pitch. Courtois was even seen giving his shirt to the visiting fans as a gesture of appreciation for traveling 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 has often happened that forwards struggle to score. There is one remedy, which is to be patient. It is a complicated moment for him, especially after missing the penalty.” “He has everyone’s support. The player is a bit disappointed, but he needs to look forward,” he said in a 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 define their qualification against Salzburg at the Bernabéu and Brest in France next January. What’s in between? The final of the Club World Cup and the Spanish Super Cup, where they will meet Mallorca in the semifinals, and if they win, their rival in the final will be either Athletic Club or Barcelona. “The European champions are on the ropes,” Rodríguez stated in Marca. These two titles could bring them back into the spotlight.
