Kylian Mbappe's Troubling Start at Real Madrid: Why Ancelotti's Team is Losing Balance
Kylian Mbappe’s much-anticipated move to Real Madrid was supposed to be a new chapter of success for the French star and a powerful boost to Carlo Ancelotti’s well-oiled squad. However, Mbappe's rocky debut El Clasico against Barcelona has highlighted underlying issues within Real Madrid’s gameplay. His offside errors, coupled with his challenging positioning, have exposed a lack of synergy between Mbappe and his teammates, ultimately throwing Madrid’s balance into disarray.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into Mbappe’s challenges in finding his place, the impact on Madrid's rising star Jude Bellingham, and the chemistry issues surfacing between Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., two players previously thought to be a perfect fit on the field.
Mbappe's Performance in the First El Clasico: Struggles and Tactical Missteps
In the first El Clasico of the 2024-25 season, Real Madrid faced a humbling 4-0 loss to Barcelona. Kylian Mbappe, known for his extraordinary goal-scoring abilities, failed to shine on the pitch. Despite being a prolific scorer for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he netted six goals in four appearances against Barcelona, Mbappe struggled to deliver under Ancelotti’s strategy.
His offside tally equaled a La Liga record as he was caught offside eight times, highlighting tactical missteps that made his performance stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Ancelotti’s Strategy Under Pressure: How Mbappe Changed the Game
Carlo Ancelotti, a seasoned manager known for his tactical prowess, initially believed that Mbappe’s experience against Barcelona would bring an advantage. However, the match exposed how Mbappe’s role as a central striker has disrupted Real Madrid’s previously smooth rhythm. Madrid’s 4-3-3 system struggled to accommodate Mbappe in the center-forward position, where his natural tendency is to drift left. This inclination, while productive at PSG, proved problematic for Real Madrid’s lineup, leading to overlap and confusion in attacking strategies.
The star forward’s attempt to adjust to his new role led to several missed scoring opportunities, further frustrating Ancelotti and Real Madrid fans. His lack of timing and composure in goal-scoring situations, with only three legitimate shots in the entire game, has raised questions about his compatibility within Madrid’s formation.
Jude Bellingham’s Evolving Role: A Rising Star Forced to Adapt
One of the most visible consequences of Mbappe’s arrival has been the change in role for Real Madrid's young star Jude Bellingham. Last season, Bellingham stepped up as Madrid’s goal-scoring force, netting 23 goals across all competitions and forming a dynamic partnership with players like Vinicius Jr.
However, Ancelotti’s attempts to prioritize Mbappe’s position have pushed Bellingham into deeper positions, limiting his attacking prowess and natural playmaking ability. In the recent El Clasico, Bellingham even found himself operating on the right flank, an unusual placement that affected his game and restricted his opportunities to score.
Critics argue that Bellingham, while still contributing to Madrid’s game, isn’t being utilized to his full potential. Spanish journalist Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa stated that Bellingham’s frequent role shifts are affecting his confidence and effectiveness. Madrid’s focus on centering their game around Mbappe seems to have come at the cost of reducing the strengths that helped Bellingham thrive last season.
Chemistry Issues with Vinicius Jr.: Can Two Star Players Find Common Ground?
The arrival of Kylian Mbappe sparked excitement about the potential partnership with Vinicius Jr., one of Madrid’s most influential players. However, their chemistry has yet to flourish as expected. Vinicius, who made a name for himself playing on the left flank, now finds himself competing with Mbappe’s tendency to move into similar spaces. This overlapping has not only led to miscommunication but also disrupted the team’s attacking flow.
Statistics show that Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. have not formed a cohesive attacking unit, as they have created few scoring opportunities for each other. Vinicius was able to link up effortlessly with former Madrid forward Karim Benzema and, later, with Bellingham. Mbappe, however, has struggled to integrate as seamlessly, leading some to suggest that both players are vying for prominence rather than complementing each other.
The Weight of Expectations: Comparing Mbappe’s Influence to Benzema’s Legacy
When Kylian Mbappe joined Real Madrid, he was heralded as the long-term replacement for Karim Benzema, who departed in 2022 after an illustrious career with the club. While Mbappe has shown flashes of his scoring ability, with eight goals in his first 14 games, he hasn’t yet managed to fill Benzema’s shoes in terms of influence and consistency. Mbappe’s transition from Ligue 1 to La Liga has not been without obstacles, as he has faced criticism from both fans and the Spanish press for failing to live up to his star billing.
The Spanish media has not been forgiving of Mbappe’s shortcomings. Following his disappointing El Clasico performance, Spanish newspaper Diario Sport labeled it "a historic failure," calling him "nervous and imprecise." As the pressure mounts, Mbappe’s body language has revealed signs of frustration, and his confidence appears shaken.
The Need for Tactical Adaptation: Ancelotti’s Next Steps
To restore balance, Carlo Ancelotti may need to make tactical adjustments. Real Madrid’s current strategy does not seem to leverage Mbappe’s strengths effectively, particularly given his tendency to play off the left side. Shifting to a system that better accommodates both Mbappe and Bellingham’s natural playstyles could help Madrid regain the chemistry that once defined their gameplay.
Ancelotti has experimented with formations such as the 4-4-2 to bring out the best in his star forwards, but results have been mixed. For Real Madrid to stay competitive in La Liga, finding a way to harmonize Mbappe’s role without sacrificing Bellingham’s effectiveness or Vinicius’ positioning is crucial.
Conclusion
Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid has brought unprecedented attention, but it has also exposed the challenges of integrating a high-profile player into an already successful team. Mbappe’s struggles in his first El Clasico, along with the disruption of Bellingham’s role and the lack of chemistry with Vinicius Jr., suggest that Ancelotti and his team need time to find the right balance.
As Real Madrid pushes forward in La Liga, the question remains: can Mbappe adapt to a new role and, in doing so, unlock his true potential with Los Blancos? Or will Real Madrid need to reconsider their tactical approach to avoid losing the cohesion that once made them champions?
Real Madrid’s journey with Mbappe is still in its early stages, but one thing is certain: to return to winning ways, the club must either embrace new tactical adaptations or find a way to let Mbappe’s individual talent shine within the team’s framework. Ancelotti has faced difficult challenges before, and it will take all his experience to restore harmony and ensure that Mbappe’s presence adds value rather than disruption to Real Madrid’s campaign.
