Mbappé's Struggles and Madrid's Quest for Consistency
Kylian Mbappé's transition to Real Madrid has been fraught with challenges, highlighting his penalty miss against Liverpool and raising questions about his impact on the team.
Published December 02, 2024 - 00:12am
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid's star signing, has been a focal point of discussion amidst his recent performances on the field. The French forward missed a crucial penalty during Real Madrid's disappointing 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League at Anfield. This miss further exacerbated discussions about Mbappé's adaptation to life at the Santiago Bernabeu and his role in the team's struggle for consistency.
Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti has openly addressed the challenges facing Mbappé, emphasizing that the issue is part of a broader problem that affects the entire team. Ancelotti noted, Mbappe's problem is the problem that we all have. The idea is to try to give our best version, not just of him but myself, other players. The coach underlined that the team has been grappling with inconsistency and that improving this aspect is critical for future successes.
The pressure on Mbappé has been mounting since his summer move to Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain. Having scored only two goals in his last nine games, critics, including former Real Madrid player Guti, have pointed out his lack of confidence and adjustment challenges. Guti mentioned that Mbappé seemed not confident in himself and appeared nervous before taking the penalty against Liverpool.
Despite these struggles, Mbappé showcased flashes of brilliance in Real Madrid's recent 2-0 victory over Getafe in LaLiga. The match saw Mbappé scoring a phenomenal goal, assisted by Jude Bellingham, which silenced the initial jeers from some sections of the Bernabeu crowd. Ancelotti hailed this performance as pivotal, expressing relief and highlighting that for him also it was, with a spectacular goal in a fantastic execution.
Real Madrid's ongoing battle with injuries has played a role in the team's recent form. Key players like Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao were unavailable for the clash against Liverpool. Nevertheless, the victory against Getafe provided a morale boost as the team inches closer to Barcelona in the LaLiga title race.
Mbappé was notably absent from France's recent national squad selections, adding another layer of complexity to his season. However, Ancelotti remains optimistic, suggesting that as Mbappé continues to acclimate, his performances will improve significantly. The coach expressed confidence in the entire team's ability to overcome current obstacles, stating, I am convinced we will fix it, like we always fix it.
While challenges persist, Real Madrid prepares for upcoming fixtures against Athletic and Girona in LaLiga. These matches precede a critical Champions League encounter against Atalanta, a team that remains undefeated in the tournament. As the team navigates these demanding fixtures, much of the onus will be on Mbappé to leverage his potential and steer Real Madrid back to form.
The football world continues to watch Mbappé's journey closely, recognizing his potential to emerge as one of the most pivotal figures in European football. The challenges he faces with Real Madrid are seen as integral steps in his evolution as a player.