Real Madrid successfully secured the signing of one of the most coveted players in recent years, Kylian Mbappe, during the last summer transfer window. The arrival of the French superstar generated mixed reactions among fans and analysts.
On one hand, many were confident that Mbappe’s addition would elevate Real Madrid’s already formidable attack, as he is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. On the other hand, skeptics questioned whether the team could effectively integrate him, especially since both Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. excel in the same position on the left wing.
To address this challenge, Carlo Ancelotti adapted by positioning Mbappe centrally while retaining Vinicius on the wing. The two players were also given the freedom to interchange roles during matches.
However, despite these tactical adjustments, Mbappe has struggled to fully embrace his role as a central forward. Consequently, when Vinicius sustained an injury during a match against Leganes, it created an opportunity for Mbappe to play in his preferred left-wing position and prove his worth.
The timing of Vinicius’ injury coincided with Real Madrid’s high-stakes UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield. Many hoped that Mbappe would seize the moment to shine, but instead, he delivered one of his worst performances in a Real Madrid jersey.
His outing was marked by missed opportunities, including a crucial penalty that could have leveled the game at 1-1 despite Liverpool dominating for much of the match.
Mbappe’s missed penalty symbolized the struggles he has faced since joining Real Madrid. Beyond that, his overall performance was lackluster. Despite staying on the pitch for the entire 90 minutes, the World Cup winner failed to register a goal or assist. His only shot on target came from the missed penalty.
According to Sofascore, his passing accuracy was just 75%, with only 18 of his 24 attempted passes completed. Additionally, he lost seven ground duels and turned over possession 15 times.
Rather than capitalizing on Vinicius’ absence, Mbappe’s performance fell below expectations, further highlighting his difficulties in adapting to life at Real Madrid.
Fans and critics alike will hope that this setback motivates him to silence his doubters and rediscover the form that once made him one of the most feared attackers in Europe, rather than allowing this performance to drag him down further.
