How to integrate Kylian Mbappé into Real Madrid?

We weren’t betting much on a dominant Real Madrid at the dawn of this 2023-2024 season. And for good reason, he left the title to a rediscovered FC Barcelona and was slapped in the Champions League by Manchester City, like the end of an era. Worse, he saw Karim Benzema unexpectedly leave for Saudi Arabia, then lost his defenders Eder Militao, David Alaba and more recently Antonio Rüdiger to injury. But Casa Blanca is unshakeable, helped, it must be said, by the perfect integration of its flagship recruit Jude Bellingham. He alone made us forget the departure of Benzema and the disappointing performances of Vinicius at the start of the season.

Without a reference number 9, Joselu being confined to the sidelines, Carlo Ancelotti has set up a hybrid system, in a diamond, where the highest attacking midfielder, embodied by Bellingham or by Brahim Diaz in the event of the absence of the English, must offer calls in depth. Vinicius and Rodrygo start on their respective sides, and can either cut into the center or extend onto the wing. Against RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening, we clearly saw how this scheme also ensured a remarkable defensive balance, with effective pressing carried out by the two Brazilians, and a midfielder capable of going into battle.

The 4-4-2 diamond already condemned?

Where to place Kylian Mbappé in this once again well-oiled mechanism? This 4-4-2 diamond does not offer him an ideal position, and either Vinicius Jr or Rodrygo would have to be removed. It is the second who could pay the price for the French striker, but would he really agree to play in this system, with a hybrid role and above all a defensive performance to be had? This game system, although currently very effective, does not seem compatible with the arrival of Mbappé.

Real Madrid could also thank Luis Enrique for a decision which removes a headache for Carlo Ancelotti. The Spanish coach made Kylian Mbappé his central striker, who previously only swore by the left side. And when some tried to install it in 9, right Christophe Galtier, it led to the “pivot gang” controversy. Today, Mbappé has accepted this role, which fits the current needs of Real Madrid, abandoned by Karim Benzema. He should therefore not claim the left winger position, brilliantly occupied by Vinicius Jr.

The 4-3-3 ideal but risky solution?

The obvious solution therefore seems to be 4-3-3, with Vinicius Jr on the left, Rodrygo on the right and Mbappé in the axis. Space players and technically fine, they appear compatible with Mbappé, whose game has evolved since he collaborated at PSG with Dembélé and Barcola. With Neymar and Messi never taking the depth, he was the only one charged with this task. With Dembélé and Barcola doing it, he now offers a greater variety of movements around the edge of the box. It would then be up to Carlo Ancelotti to compose a trio in midfield, with Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga, or even Kroos if he extends.

That said, this 4-3-3, whether low point or high point in the middle, could have harmful consequences on the defensive balance of the team. Without insulting Mbappé, his defensive investment is clearly not his strong point. That of Benzema at Real was, for example, superior, and we had to see Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo in the constant fight on Tuesday evening against Leipzig to hinder the ball’s output. Will Carlo Ancelotti find that aligning Vini, Rodrygo, Bellingham and Mbappé is feasible without disrupting the compactness of his lines? This is the challenge that awaits him.