Real Madrid’s problems continue, as does Kylian Mbappé’s less than ideal start in the Spanish capital. Los Blancos lost to Milan in the Champions League, shortly after the defeat in El Clásico against Barcelona. Los Blancos have now fallen behind Barcelona in La Liga and are also failing in the Champions League. Growing pains were expected to arise with Kylian Mbappé joining the team this season from Paris Saint-Germain, but the balance in the team is not there.
It is a difficult job for Carlo Ancelotti to find the best combination of players who fit together best, but he will need to get to the bottom of it if Real Madrid are to win back-to-back Champions League titles. CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry focused on one of those problems affecting Los Blancos.
“It is almost always [Jude] Bellingham trying to make runs makes the team play. He is still the one trying to break the lines. Who runs and tries to reach the goal?” Henry said. “It’s Bellingham who is doing Mbappé’s job. This may happen from time to time, but not all the time. Do you think Bellingham likes to do these races to stretch the team? “He does it because he has the desire and the will to do it.”
Last season, playing with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, Bellingham had to be the player who entered the box late because there was no recognized striker. He did it to great effect, scoring 23 goals and assisting 11 more, but this season things are different. Mbappé was brought in to lead the embargo, but he tends towards the left side, where Vini Jr has things covered.
Another Real Madrid legend, Karim Benzema, already said it Mbappé needs to forget about the left wing and focus on playing as a nine and that adjustment will pay dividends for Real Madrid when it happens. Bellingham being able to make those runs into the box is a great skill, but it shouldn’t be something he has to do constantly.
Mbappé will not be a strong nine in attacking play, but with his devastating pace and finishing ability, Madrid should be able to get more out of him leading the attack.
“You don’t win games like that. You don’t win games with your 10 breaking the line, coming back, trying to stop his run, trying to defend, trying to go the other way. And then he gets subbed off.” ?” Enrique continued. “I would have been angry too. I saw him kick a bottle. Of course, I would have been angry too. For me this is not enough and I don’t think they are playing well as a team, but also with the ball.” [Mbappe] “You have to do a lot more.”
When you wear the number 9 at Real Madrid, expectations rise and, although Mbappé has had opportunities, he is not doing enough with them. Combined with the fact that Rodrygo also left the XI, Ancelotti is still mixing and matching players to find out who can perform. Even Fede Valverde was removed from Madrid’s match against Milan at half-time, something that would have seemed unthinkable last season, but which demonstrates the need and desire to mix things up.
It is too early to remove Mbappé from the XI, but if they continue down this path, drastic measures may need to be taken. No one is above a spell on the bench and that could be what it takes for Mbappé to start performing like the number nine he can be.
