MADRID: With Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior injured in Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Liverpool, superstar summer signing Kylian Mbappe will become their main attacking weapon.
The France captain has endured a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital, on and off the pitch, but found the net for the first time in five La Liga games at Leganes on Sunday. Mbappe was started on the left wing for the first time by coach Carlo Ancelotti in his favored role and rewarded the Italian by opening the scoring at Buttarc.
However, chances were created by Vinicius and with the Brazilian sidelined for three weeks, Mbappe will be responsible for stepping forward and providing Madrid’s attacking edge in games starting from Anfield.
Liverpool top the Champions League group table and Madrid are 18th after shock defeats to Lille and AC Milan in their first four matches. Vinicius scored four Champions League goals in those games, while Mbappe found the net just once in Europe.
While seven La Liga strikes in 12 appearances is not a bad record, Mbappe’s performances have left something to be desired given his superstar status. The French forward, who has been left out of his country’s squad for the last two international breaks, believes he is slowly but surely finding his footing.
“I think I did well, I’m starting to move faster with my team-mates,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the win against Leganes that lifted the Spanish top-flight in La Liga. The champions took second place. “I can play in every position and I’m ready to help the team and give my all…” I play right, left, middle and two up. It doesn’t matter to me. I want to help the team and score goals.”
Madrid coach Ancelotti has resisted giving Mbappe time on the left ahead of Vinicius, who prefers to play on the flank rather than through the middle. However, with Mbappe finding the net just once in seven games as the main striker ahead of the Ligue 1 game, the coach decided to tinker with his plans by swapping the pair, although he said the decision was due to fitness issues. was based on
“Playing outside is more tiring than in the middle, Vinicius returned from international duty on Thursday and Mbappe was fresher than Vinicius,” Ancelotti said. “He scored with a great assist from Vinny Jr. — they’re both getting better and better.”
Ancelotti will need to rethink his set-up for the trip to Merseyside to face the Premier League leaders. Mbappe could be used as part of a two-man strike force with Jude Bellingham an option to play alongside him, having operated in a more withdrawn role this season.
The English star was crucial for Madrid in attack last season, stepping into the hole left by the departure of Karim Benzema, but with the arrival of Mbappe Ancelotti has pushed Bellingham deeper in an attempt to find some balance.
Injuries to Vinicius, Rodrygo and Lucas Vazquez, as well as long-term problems for Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao, have left Madrid’s squad extremely thin. Mbappe, linked to a rape investigation in Sweden which he labeled “fake news”, and embroiled in a fight with former employers PSG over millions of euros in unpaid wages, is already under a lot of pressure. .
Ancelotti said speculation about the striker’s mental health on Saturday was “ugly” and insisted Mbappe’s form will change. A goal against minnows Leganes eased the burden off his shoulders, and Madrid will be desperate for more from him against Liverpool.