Pressing Issues

• A breakdown of what’s gone wrong at Real Madrid so far this season.
• Analysis of how Kylian Mbappe can still turn things around at Los Blancos.

What’s gone wrong for Real?

Starboy Vini

Throughout Kylian Mbappe’s career he has always been ‘the main man’ of his team: as a teenager at Monaco and then alongside Lionel Messi at PSG.

Yet the talismanic nature of Vinicius Jr has so far taken precedence over the Frenchman at the Bernabeu. And given Vinicius’ incredible start to the season, where he has already produced 16 goals and assists, no one can claim that Ancelotti has placed his faith in the wrong man.

For Mbappe, this is something that he is still adjusting to, especially when considering that Vinicius is playing on Mbappe’s preferred left hand side. Both players looking to dominate the same side of the pitch has led to Madrid’s attack lacking synergy at times: Mbappe has been caught offside 1.6 times per game this season – up from 0.7 per game during his last season at PSG.

It’s become clear that the left wing position Mbappe desires is firmly tied down by Vinicius, and he is simply going to have to adapt.

“It’s a Defensive Problem”

With Madrid being sat mid-table in the Champions League and having recently lost 4-0 at home in El Clasico, Carlo Ancelotti has been repeatedly asked about what he feels is going wrong for his side.

Before the international break, Ancelotti insisted that “it’s not an attacking issue… or about where the players want to play”. He instead claims that “it’s a defensive problem”.

But what does this actually mean? Real Madrid have conceded less goals than Barcelona in La Liga this season.

Ancelotti is likely referring to his forwards’ willingness to press high up the pitch. Last season, Real would persistently press high, with their forwards being a key part of that. Jude Bellingham’s advanced role last season saw him make 1.6 tackles per game, while Mbappe has managed only 1 tackle in La Liga so far this season.

Fixture Congestion

Ah good old fixture congestion. Unfortunately one of modern football’s biggest talking points – Real Madrid’s schedule for this season could be genuinely relentless.

Madrid could end up playing as many as 73 games in all competitions this season – 18 more than they did last campaign.

It’s not unreasonable to think that given Los Blancos’ status as one of football’s biggest clubs, that their squad depth would be able to accommodate so many fixtures – yet between a recent barrage of injuries and Ancelotti’s apparent lack of trust in various young prospects, they do appear to be struggling.

Madrid look very barebones in defence – senior men Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal have been ruled out for the season. Teenage prospects Arda Guler and Endrick have been presented with limited minutes despite Real’s lack of fluidity in attack.

For this, Mbappe cannot be blamed directly. Yet his wages and brand do potentially make it impossible for Ancelotti to drop him from the starting 11, even if it’s something the Italian manager feels would benefit his team.

Will Mbappe Start Firing?

The Shadow of Ronaldo

Despite all the doom and gloom, Mbappe remains one of the most talented individuals in world football. Less than two years ago, he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final, and was very much in the discussion for the best player in the world.

It feels likely then that his performances will improve the more he beds himself into Real Madrid’s club and culture.

Mbappe is yet to have a ‘moment’ that really integrates him in the hearts of fans. Despite scoring 6 La Liga goals so far this season, 3 of them have been penalties, and most Real fans will recall his 8 offsides in El Clasico before they remember any of his goals.

The last time Real Madrid signed one of the world’s absolute elite was their purchase of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009. Ronaldo would hit the ground running with 5 goals in his opening 4 games.

Fans’ expectations after Mbappe’s arrival were probably similar – he was meant to be unleashed as the superstar he can be as soon as he landed at the Bernabeu. But a stuttering start has led to pressure piling on the Frenchman.

A Wobbly Track Record

As previously mentioned, logic suggests that as time goes on Mbappe will bed himself in with the team and fans. Most importantly him and Vinicius should learn to compliment each other, and Mbappe will remember the offside rule.

However, Mbappe’s track record of this isn’t brilliant. At PSG, he initially struggled playing alongside Neymar when both players wanted the left wing to themselves. It wasn’t until Thomas Tuchel had a brainwave to play Neymar in an inside forward role that Mbappe really exploded.

The important thing for fans is, that he did explode when it suited him. It might be that Ancelotti will need to move some things around in order for it to happen, but given his contract’s value over £180 million, it feels likely that sooner or later, Mbappe will establish himself as the main man.

Should this happen, football fans can expect to be treated to fine form from one of the world’s best.