Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé’s first steps dissected

After so many years of dribbling for Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé knew that his first steps in the white jersey would be scrutinized. And here he is already criticized by a part of the Spanish press, you can easily guess which one, after two matches played. The first, in the European Super Cup against Atalanta, was the opportunity for him to score his first goal, after an average performance. The second, against Mallorca, is making social networks happy.

What did we see of Kylian Mbappé in these two matches, football-wise? A player not yet 100% ready, although visibly more alert than in his last months in Paris. Sharper and slimmer, he seems to have done what is necessary to regain a lethal burst of speed. The problem is that it is not yet enough to put down an entire defense, as evidenced by his sprint, highlighted by La Liga on social networks under the term “galopada”, which the opposing defender has long resisted.

This action poses other problems. First, the Frenchman’s approximate ball handling, which prevents him from seeing Vinicius. The Brazilian is ideally positioned and waits for a deep pass that will never come. Moreover, at the end of this match, we will note this impression that Vinicius and Rodrygo tried to play together a lot. Conversely, we could see that Jude Bellingham regularly looked for Kylian Mbappé.

A good feeling with Bellingham but…

The Englishman was able to read the calls of the Frenchman, who has found a taste for depth again. Pointed out during the Euro for this reason, the new number 9 of Real Madrid has several times offered a solution in depth. On the other hand, he lacked efficiency, with two interesting shots saved by Greif, the opposing goalkeeper. And a shot with his right foot well above. And without this efficiency, it will be hard to escape criticism, since once again, he does not appear to be a natural number 9.

If he forces his nature a little by sometimes going to cut a trajectory at the first post, Mbappé has often positioned himself behind the overflows of Vinicius and Rodrygo. It is sometimes Tchouameni, Valverde and Bellingham who come to dive in the surface. So sometimes, this results in interesting actions, like this technical exchange between the attacking trio in one touch. But often, it mainly causes a traffic jam.

Positioning and defensive aspect

Announced as a problem for Carlo Ancelotti, who had tried to defuse it before the start of the season, Mbappé’s positioning is already at the heart of Madrid news. “Either Vinicius or Mbappé will play on the left wing. I have to choose”he said on the sidelines of the first day of La Liga. The first two matches have provided an element of an answer, since the Italian coach lined up a similar 4-3-3, with Vinicius on the left, Mbappé in the centre and Rodrygo on the right. On the other hand, if the Brazilian has kept his flank for the moment, it was he who was replaced before the final whistle (in the 88th), by Brahim Diaz, while Mbappé remained on the pitch.

Finally, the defensive aspect will also be closely monitored. Because the French striker has already blown a cartridge on the Mallorcan equalizer last night. Strangely, when marking the Kosovar Verdat Muriqi (1m94) during the latter’s equalizer from a corner, Mbappé only pretends to follow him before completely letting him go. Positioning, efficiency, defensive impact, integration into the well-oiled Real Madrid collective, ego management, the many questions raised by the transfer of Kylian Mbappé have not disappeared after his first two performances. Next match next Sunday, the first at Santiago Bernabeu, against Valladolid.