Kilian adds elegance.
The Frenchman accepted his fate
Real Madrid’s number nine realized he would have to play in the center of the attack. Vinicius’ disqualification sent Rodrigo to the left flank and Mbappe played in the center of the attack. A tricky position, especially if you can’t enter the penalty area from the left flank, as Kylian often did PSG. In Paris, I had more freedom and fewer tasks without a ball. Ancelotti and the leaders of Real Madrid did not appreciate the Frenchman’s tenure when he was lazy and did not return to defense.
Against weak opponents, Mbappé, as before, acts with strength. At equal strength, Las Palmas conceded 4 goals against Real Madrid. These are just goals scored. Kylian was close to a hat-trick, had 6 shots on goal and scored a penalty again. Added a basket for a double. Only an offside prevented the Frenchman from leaving the field with three goals scored. Mbappe now has 18 goals and 4 assists in 30 matches for Real Madrid. Normal stats for a strong attacker.
And bad numbers compared to young Ronaldo. But Kylian’s idol took longer to learn how to play in the center of the attack. Mbappé has 22 points according to the “goal plus assist” system, of which he collected almost half in a month and a half. Kylian’s goal for Barcelona didn’t help them win the Spanish Super Cup. But at the start of the season at the Super Bowl UEFA Mbappe scored against Atalanta and won the first trophy. There was also a precise shot and assist on Rodrigo during the Intercontinental Cup against Pachuca.
This opponent offered no resistance like Las Palmas. Ancelotti is alarmed by this trend. Mbappé lights up if the opponent is frankly not good. But when Las Palmas forced Real to fight at home in the first round, Kylian did nothing to help. Then the Spanish champions lost points playing 1:1. There have been many matches like this. With Mallorca, with Lille, against Barcelona in the first Clasico. With Milan, Liverpool and Athletic.
Mbappé improves the level of his teammates
22 goals created in 30 matches. And a few more participations in scoring attacks. There are several reasons for these good statistics. The first is that Mbappé takes a penalty, and Real Madrid players often deserve them. But Kylian lost the fight against the Athletic goalkeeper as Real lost 1:2. And after the lowest point, I managed to start again from the bottom. The Frenchman himself described this fight and this blow like this. But more often than not, Mbappé has excellent technique for taking penalties. Diverse and cunning.
Knows how to pause, wait for the goalkeeper to jump, then roll the ball or send it to an uncomfortable height away from the corner of the goal. If you analyze the striking style of many venerable strikers, the most arrogant aim for corners and hit hard. And those who are softer and more cunning try to direct the ball under the goalkeeper’s armpit. He won’t help even if he rushes to the corner and guesses the direction of the blow. Design from the “soft” category. Of course, sometimes the attacker changes his style.
Liverpool goalkeeper Kelleher draws Kylian’s shot against Liverpool. Real Madrid also lost this match. So far, 4 of Mbappe’s 18 goals for Los Blancos have been from the penalty spot, although he could have scored 6 out of 20. And the second reason why Kylian has good stats, despite tactical issues and of play, is the skill level of his teammates. A backheel pass from Valverde as Mbappe exits is enough to clearly understand why the Frenchman manages to score goals for Madrid.
Kylian often shoots into an empty net. Or from easy positions. But so far he has failed to score in slalom. Physically, Mbappé has not been in the best shape this season. At first it seemed a bit heavy. Now he has improved, but he still can’t dribble effectively. Openings remain. Here, we must pay tribute to the Frenchman. Very often, the number nine is in an ideal position. All that remains is to wait for a pass from Vinicius, Rodrigo or Bellingham and send the ball into the back of the net.
Ancelotti is rarely unhappy with Kylian’s performance
Carlo called Mbappe the best center forward in the world. This is purely false, the coach decided to boost the Frenchman’s morale. The Italian highlighted his ability to break away from his guardian. But he lied when he said that Mbappé is better in the center than on the wing. Ancelotti’s reactions are more honest than his words. Even when Kylian twice scored beautiful long-range shots, Carlo celebrated the goals half-heartedly. Ancelotti can be understood. Real Madrid have too many defeats; first place in La Liga was awarded to him by his competitors.
Atlético ended their 15-game winning streak in all competitions against Leganes. Veteran Griezmann missed his penalty. Barcelona also stumbles. After a recent match, the Catalans complain about the referee. But for the Catalans, Getafe are always dangerous on the move; they systematically take points from the favorite. Flick’s team is charming when night arrives, and dubiously predictable when their opponent manages to corner them. In this, they resemble current Real Madrid.
Ancelotti’s players also have little control over the level of their own play. When they are upset and angry, they can endure a lot. Sometimes the match went badly, like against Atalanta in Bergamo. The Italian opponent was known from the Super Cup final UEFA. And Courtois had to assist to keep Gasperini’s men from leveling the score, drawing the match 3:3. Striker Mbappé scored against Atalanta, but it was one of his few goals in the match-winner against a powerful opponent.
While Kilian adapts. We saw a pass without a backhand. Mid-height long-range passing strike. Openings on the offside line. Breaks for his sharp teammates to run around him and get open for the pass. Kylian’s experience as an assistant helps him, because at Real Madrid they demand more from him than just shooting. But if you look in turn at Mbappé’s goals and those of Ronaldo for Real Madrid in 2016, when Cristiano was 31, the Portuguese beats Kylian squarely.
There are only statistics for the Frenchman. But not everything. Mbappé makes fewer assists per match than Real Madrid goalkeepers. Engagement decreases in tough matches. And it is against tough opponents that Ancelotti loses this season. We do not draw clear conclusions, we note Kilian’s diligence. The newcomer wants to play. But this is the level of a guy who can surpass 36-year-old Lewandowski in the fight for Pichichi. While Mbappé is not playing like a 2025 Ballon d’Or winner.
About the Author
