In difficulty for several weeks, Kylian Mbappé is still expected to turn the corner in Spain, while Real Madrid faces Leganés this Sunday (6:30 p.m.). Certain elements in the Frenchman’s game are singled out.
It’s been more than 100 days (102 exactly) since Kylian Mbappé played his first match with Real Madrid. Last August 14, everything seemed perfect. First match, first goal, first trophy in the European Super Cup against Atalanta… A dream start to launch his new Spanish adventure. Since then, the picture has darkened. Of course, the international break has passed, but it has been more than a month now since the Frenchman has scored for Real. Four games drought, an extremely rare occurrence for the former Parisian. But on the ground, how can we explain its difficulties?
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A glaring inefficiency
It is first of all the lack of efficiency of the Madrid striker which is obvious. In 49 attempts this season in La Liga, he has only scored 6 times, or around a goal every 8 strikes. For comparison, Robert Lewandowski finds the back of the net almost once every 3 shots. Among the players with 3 or more goals this season in La Liga, Mbappé even has the worst conversion rate of his shots. However, he scores 42%, which places him in the high average among the top scorers in the championship.
There is no question, therefore, of asserting that the framework is slipping away from the French. But it’s enough to reassure certain supporters who claim not to have found the “killer” Mbappé that they had observed in the past at PSG or with the Blues. Difficulties studied in training during the last break? “Does he really need to work offensively? I don’t think so,” replies Carlo Ancelotti. “I’m not going to teach Mbappé how to attack. He could teach me, and could teach many.”
A lack of complementarity with Vinicius Jr
During this break, the Frenchman did not work on his complementarity with Vinicius Jr, who was selected for Brazil. Since the start of the season, the association of the two stars has been one of the major questions highlighted by the Spanish press. “Condemned to get along”, headlined AS this week, a photo of the duo on the front page. Ancelotti is convinced that Mbappé will eventually establish himself in the center, leaving Vinicius on the left wing. “An obstinacy” from the coach who has “his share of responsibility” in the Frenchman’s performances according to El Confidencial.
Part of the press, across the Pyrenees, is calling for other alternatives to be tested. Whatever the case, it is in this position of number 9 that Mbappé must begin to shine for the moment. “He does not fulfill the role asked of him. We must demand more from Mbappé,” continues El Confidencial.
A criticized positioning
“It can’t be worse,” Thierry Henry even criticized Mbappé at the beginning of November. “He must learn to play as number 9,” said the CBS consultant. An observation that echoes the most dominant criticisms in Madrid. Mbappé would not make enough calls in the center, too often replaced by Jude Bellingham in this role.
Ironically, the Frenchman is the player most reported offside in La Liga this season. The flag was raised in front of him 18 times. This is 6 times more than Christantus Uche (12), Getafe striker, who is nevertheless the second most reported offside player in the championship. The 8 flags raised against the Madrilenian against Barcelona (0-4) were particularly highlighted. A match which also exacerbated criticism of Mbappé’s lack of pressing. During the Clasico, he only covered 8 km on the pitch, less than any other player.
Pressing pointed out
The lack of defensive involvement is often one of the first points of criticism from Real fans. “He’s in no hurry!”, the supporters unanimously responded when Valdebebas left when asked what they would like to see change in Mbappé’s game. In a Real that is not “compact” enough according to Ancelotti, the Frenchman’s defensive efforts, already singled out by Luis Enrique in Paris last season, are at the heart of the debates.
There is no doubt that by finding the back of the net this Sunday against Leganés (6:30 p.m.), Mbappé could temporarily make some doubts forget, three days before the clash against Liverpool in the Champions League. According to his coach, the Frenchman should bounce back this weekend: “His bad patch will end. He will have a great match.”
