As we find ourselves in the summer of 2024, the atmosphere at the Bernabéu is electric with chants of “Mbappé!” ringing through the air as he enthusiastically declares, “Uno, dos, tres, Hala Madrid!” This warm reception greeted him as he joined a club eager to usher in a new Galáctico era envisioned by Florentino Pérez. With a formidable front four of Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo, Madrid appeared poised to dismantle any defense in the world.
However, fast forward to November, and the narrative has shifted significantly. Madrid has suffered two disappointing losses in the UEFA Champions League, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to a young Barcelona squad. Amidst this fallout, Mbappé has become a focal point of criticism, blamed for both the team’s struggles and his inability to overcome Barcelona’s offside trap. With only eight goals—three of which are penalties—questions arise: Does he truly deserve this level of scrutiny?
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Transitioning to La Liga
Mbappé joined from Ligue 1, where he was a dominant force, mastering defenders and scoring stunning goals with ease. Yet, La Liga is widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding leagues in the world, where every team possesses impressive defensive capabilities. While Mbappé’s speed is a lethal weapon, teams in La Liga often utilize a low block, necessitating a shift toward relying on his dribbling skills rather than purely on pace.
One critical factor affecting Mbappé’s performance is the fact that he is no longer the lone star of the team and is also not playing solely on the left wing. This transition requires time for him to adjust to the new league, the different system, and his evolving role within the team. Compounding this challenge, his tenure at PSG was marred by limited playing time in the end, as Enrique began orchestrating a future without him due to his contract situation.
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An underwhelming Euros performance, coupled with a lack of match experience at PSG and the demands of adapting to a new league and system, have undeniably contributed to his current difficulties. Considering these factors, perhaps we should reconsider the harsh criticism he is facing. Instead of scapegoating him for Madrid’s struggles, it is essential to recognize the multitude of adjustments he is navigating in his promising career.
Ancelotti’s Tactical Conundrum
Ancelotti faced a significant challenge in assembling a potent frontline capable of maximizing the strengths of Vinícius, Mbappé, and Rodrygo. This task became even more daunting with Madrid starting the season without Toni Kroos, their midfield maestro. Given the limited pressing from Mbappé and Vinicius, it was essential to devise a system that maintained defensive organization while also providing offensive opportunities.
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Madrid sought to play directly in El Clásico, launching long balls to exploit Barcelona’s high defensive line, leveraging Mbappé’s exceptional pace. However, without a rhythm-setter, their passes were often hasty, leading to frequent offside calls against Mbappé. While some might blame him for poor positioning, it’s important to recognize Barcelona’s backline, which displayed remarkable organization and communication.
A key development since those initial matches has been Mbappé’s strategic decision to drop deeper, acting as a decoy and drawing a center back out of position. This movement creates valuable space that is frequently capitalized on by Bellingham, as evidenced by his goal against Osasuna. By adapting their tactics, Madrid can optimize their attacking potential and capitalize on the talents of their players.
What next?
In my opinion, a player like Mbappé is a luxury to have. This heat map illustrates that he can operate anywhere on the pitch. As a dynamic forward, his goal-scoring ability thrives when he is confident. The only thing missing has been that confidence; he has been underperforming compared to his expected goals (xG), which simply indicates that goals are what he needs to unlock his potential.
Once he starts scoring, everything else will likely fall into place as a natural result. It’s important to remember that he is only in the fifth month of his career at Real Madrid. He still needs to build chemistry on the pitch with Vinícius and the other players. Coming from PSG, where he was often the focal point of the attack, he is now part of a Real Madrid team filled with players who also enjoy being involved in the game.
Vinícius has often been the go-to player, as he had been with the team long before Mbappé arrived. We are talking about a player who scored a hat trick in a World Cup final less than two years ago. As time goes on, his teammates will better understand how he likes to play, and he will gradually acclimate to Madrid’s style. In due time, he will become a significant asset to the team.
By: Yashanil Tiwari
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Franck Fife – AFP
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