MADRID.- With the Brazilian forward Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr, injured for the Champions League match against Liverpool on Wednesday at Anfield, Kylian Mbappéstar signing of the last market, becomes the main threat for the English.
The France captain has had a difficult start in the Spanish capital, on and off the field, but found the net for the first time in five games on Sunday, against Leganés in La Liga.
Mbappé started on the left wing, his favorite position, and rewarded Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti by opening the scoring in Butarque.
However, the opportunity was created by Vinicius. With the South American star out for more than three weeks, Mbappé will have to take a step forward and lead the white club’s attack in the next matches.
Liverpool top the table in the single group of the Champions League, while the current champion, Madrid, is in 18th position, after being surprisingly defeated by Lille and AC Milan in their first four games of the competition .
Vinicius scored four Champions League goals in those games, while Mbappé only one.
While scoring seven goals in the League in 12 games is a remarkable feat, Mbappé’s performances have left something to be desired given his status as a superstar.
The Frenchman, who was left out of his country’s squad in the last two international breaks, believes he is finding his balance slowly but surely.
“I think I played a good game, I’m starting to get into rhythm with my teammates,” Mbappé told Real Madrid TV after the victory over Leganés that left the Spanish champion in second place in the League.
“I can play in all positions and I am ready to help the team and give my all,” he continued before emphasizing that he does not care about playing on the right or left, but only about scoring goals.
Tactical issue
Ancelotti had been reluctant to play Mbappé on the left wing ahead of Vinicius, who also prefers to play more on that side than in the center.
Instead, given that the Frenchman had only scored one goal in seven games as a center forward before the match against Leganés, the coach decided to modify his plan by swapping the two, although he stated that the decision was based on a physical problem.
“Playing on the outside is more tiring than playing in the center, Vinicius returned from his international commitments on Thursday and Mbappé was fresher than Vinicius,” declared Ancelotti.
“He scored a goal with a fantastic assist from Vini Junior. They are both improving little by little,” he continued.
The Italian will have to rethink his approach during the trip to Merseyside to face the Premier League leaders.
The Englishman Jude Bellingham, who has played further back since the start of the season, could accompany Mbappé up front.
The midfielder was a key player in Real Madrid’s attack last season, filling the gap left by the departure of Frenchman Karim Benzema, but Ancelotti delayed Bellingham in an attempt to find some balance with the arrival of Mbappé.
The injuries to Vinicius, Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez, along with the long-term absences of Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao, have left the Madrid squad in a delicate situation.
Mbappé, linked to an investigation for alleged rape in Sweden, which he described as false, and immersed in a legal battle with his former team, PSG, for non-payment of a million-dollar salary, is already under a lot of pressure.
Ancelotti indicated on Saturday that speculation about the forward’s mental health was “ugly” and insisted Mbappe’s form would change.
A goal against Leganés lightened the load on his shoulders and Real Madrid hope he continues scoring in Liverpool.
