Kylian Mbappé finds his feet at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé’s first five months at Real Madrid haven’t been entirely smooth sailing. After 24 games, the French superstar is heading into his first winter break with Los Blancos, having faced unexpected challenges and scrutiny. However, recent performances suggest Mbappé is finally finding his stride at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Initial Struggles and Scrutiny

Kylian Mbappé initially became a scapegoat for some of Real Madrid’s less impressive performances. Questions arose about his commitment and adaptation to a system featuring both him and Vinícius Júnior on the left flank. This tactical setup often led to an overloaded attack, hindering both players’ effectiveness.

Ancelotti’s Tactical Tweaks and Mbappé’s Response

Recently, coach Carlo Ancelotti has implemented tactical adjustments, allowing Vinícius Júnior to interchange with Mbappé and occupy more central positions. This shift has unlocked the potential of both players.

“His adaptation period is over,” Ancelotti confidently stated. “He is already showing a good version, although he can still improve. He has recovered from his last injury and I see him more motivated, excited. He needed this time, as anyone does, but it has now come to an end.”

Despite the initial difficulties, Mbappé has been a consistent presence when available. His absence due to injury coincided with two draws against Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano, and he featured as a substitute in a Champions League defeat to Lille.

Mbappé’s Goal-Scoring Record and Expected Goals

Despite the criticism, Mbappé boasts an impressive goal-scoring record, with 14 goals so far this season. However, his expected goals (xG) of 16.43 suggest he has been slightly underperforming in terms of finishing. He leads La Liga in shots (4.8 per 90 minutes) and shots on target (2.5 per 90 minutes).

Comparing him to Vinícius Júnior, who has 13 goals from 9.28 xG, highlights the difference in clinical finishing. Vinícius achieves similar results with fewer shots (3.2 per 90 minutes) and shots on target (1 per 90 minutes). This comparison puts Mbappé under intense pressure to perform at the highest level.

Turning Point and Recent Form

Mbappé acknowledged his struggles, stating on social media, “I take full responsibility. It’s a difficult time, but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am.” This message followed defeats to Athletic Club and Liverpool, where he missed crucial penalties.

Since then, Mbappé has responded emphatically. In his last four appearances, interrupted by a minor injury, he has scored in each game. In his most recent outings against Pachuca and Sevilla, he provided both a goal and an assist, earning the MVP award against Sevilla.

Looking Ahead to 2025

With Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments and Mbappé’s resurgence in form, 2025 looks promising. The Frenchman has the opportunity to win his third trophy with Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup. All eyes will be on him to lead the team to further success.