Kylian Mbappé termed it “the story of my career,” which it wasn’t and turned out to be average, but he was courteous. Possible political involvement.
The Frenchman spoke Real Madrid’s TV station about starting on the left for the first time since his seven-year wait to reach Spain in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leganés. He scored the opener after 21 shots without a goal, although he denied that his position was to blame.
“It was good,” he remarked. “I’m getting my teammates’ rhythm. I mentioned the first day I came here that I can play right, left, center, or two. Today I played a different position than the prior game, and tomorrow I might too.”
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He may not presently. Mbappé was in a corner of Butarque talking to the TV while Carlo Ancelotti explained fitness as a reason for switching forwards, and Vinícius Júnior reported a medical issue in the dressing room.
Without Vinícius, Mbappé will likely play the role he prefers, despite his assurances to the contrary. Instead of a one-off at Leganés, he may play left for Liverpool.
Ancelotti claimed Mbappé was fresh after working at Valdebebas with youth players during international week. Vinícius, on the other hand, had traveled across the Atlantic, played 180 minutes against Venezuela and Uruguay, and returned on Thursday evening.
The coach stated that the middle is less physically demanding, hence the switch. Vinícius, who played another 90 minutes, felt something in his left hamstring, while prioritizing both protection and play. Next morning, it was confirmed: three weeks out. He didn’t board the UK flight.
“Harder yet,” read the sports daily AS’s front page, and it would be hard enough to test Madrid’s return. Liverpool led the Champions League with a perfect record.
This is rare: Real Madrid finished 18th. The holders’ top eight spot is at stake after losing at Lille and 3-1 at the Bernabéu to Milan. Playing an extra round may not matter, but it’s not assured. Not after Anfield with Atalanta.
Ancelotti said the Milan loss was a “reality” afterward. Madrid lost 4-0 at home to Barcelona and surrendered three more.
Several phrases stood out that night, such as his opening: “I can’t say my players are lazy, but……” He stated it would be a “long night” and that was fine because he wanted the players to feel as broken as he did to push them to act. “We must find the solidity we had for a long time and which is lacking now,” he remarked.
The next time he addressed his team, he was clear. “We have talked about it,” he remarked days later, “and we think we have found the solution. The team is driven and aware of what happened. Only words, which are blown away. How we play matters.”
They scored four against Osasuna the next afternoon, and after scoring three more against Leganés, Ancelotti stated he could see some of those attributes again.
Personnel and shape have changed. Dani Ceballos, Arda Guler, Eduardo Camavinga, and Raúl Asencio made their second, third, and fifth starts at Butarque, respectively.
Asencio was the first academy product to start in the league during the Italian’s second term. Some players were injured, and Fran García’s spot was likely reserved for Ferland Mendy at Anfield. But it worked.
Their win over Osasuna and Leganés was the issue. Even if Liverpool have lost seven of their eight matches against Madrid, they are another issue. Injuries provide possibilities but weaken you.
Madrid has 14 this season. Thibaut Courtois and Lucas Vázquez will play, although notable absences include Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Rodrygo, David Alaba, and Aurélien Tchouaméni.
On Sunday, Madrid’s president Florentino Pérez declared Vinícius would have won the Ballon d’Or without the votes of Finland, Albania, Namibia, and Uganda, countries with unknown journalists.
He has played every game this season, scoring 12 goals and setting up eight, including Sunday’s for Mbappé.
Last time at Anfield, he helped Madrid go from 2-0 down to 2-2 and win 5-2. Four goals and an assist against Liverpool in five games, including the Champions League final winner.
He is the reason Mbappé has not played on the left, where he has spent much of his career, turning up at the club where someone is better in his position.
When questioned why Mbappé doesn’t play his customary position, Ancelotti answered, “I don’t want to change the player that makes the difference.”
Despite having eight goals entering Sunday, Mbappé has been less comfortable and decisive in his role. I can’t teach him about becoming a striker, said Ancelotti.
Maybe he can teach me.” Mbappé is well-suited for the job, but he revealed last weekend that he is “more used to playing” on the left.
“Three games without a goal is not much for most players but for me it is loads,” Mbappé stated early in the season.
He arrived at Butarque having gone beyond that and left having broken that drought. Injury presented an opportunity for good news hidden amid the bad, another narrative to share.
