Kylian Mbappé’s Standout Performance
Kylian Mbappé stood to the side, grinning as Xabi Alonso expressed admiration for him, following his standout performance in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Marseille in the Champions League, where he netted both goals and was named man of the match. The moment took place at Santiago Bernabéu, where Alonso, tasked with evaluating his superstar’s contribution, humorously remarked, “He wasn’t bad,” acknowledging Mbappé’s incredible impact while glancing in the forward’s direction.
Future Aspirations for Real Madrid
As Los Blancos face the challenges ahead, starting with the significant derby against Atlético Madrid, their aspirations hinge heavily on both Alonso and Mbappé. Last season, their aspirations had disappointed, but now there’s hope for a bright future.
Mbappé’s Development Under Alonso
The narrative surrounding a young French forward achieving greatness under a compelling coach resonates, as seen recently with Ousmane Dembélé, who was hailed as the best men’s player after a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique. Observers speculate whether Mbappé might follow a similar path with Alonso at the helm of Madrid. The similarities were clear during the match against Marseille, with Mbappé’s high pressing reminiscent of Dembélé’s influential performances.
Alonso’s goal is to mold Mbappé into a versatile and relentless attacker, much like what Luis Enrique accomplished with Dembélé. The fact that alongside scoring an impressive 44 goals last season, Mbappé seemed detached from defensive responsibilities had raised concerns. Alonso now faces the challenge of motivating Mbappé to dedicate himself to the team defensively, something Enrique struggled to achieve.
Statistical Improvements
Statistical evidence suggests that encouraging changes may be taking place. Within six La Liga matches this season, the French international has recovered the ball 15 times, indicating a shift in his off-the-ball work ethic compared to previous seasons, where he averaged just over one recovery per game.
One particular moment that drew the crowd’s cheers came during a situation where he sprinted back in the 73rd minute to intercept a potential counterattack, showing that he is apparently adapting to Alonso’s strategic emphasis on a high-press game.
“Xabi wants us to reclaim the ball more swiftly,” Mbappé stated recently, indicating he is committed to following his coach’s directives and believes such changes will contribute to the team’s success.
Alonso has carefully commended Mbappé’s football intelligence, acknowledging his understanding of the game, suggesting that the forward is finally embracing the defensive aspects of play crucial for a well-rounded performance.
Challenges Ahead
Last season, under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s defensive weaknesses were exposed, especially in high-stakes matches against fierce competitors such as Barcelona. Mbappé has seemed to recognize the necessity for change after seeing the team’s struggles. Although it’s early in the current season, the impact Alonso has made on the team and on Mbappé specifically is evident.
Through the initial analysis of his performance, data shows marginal improvements in Mbappé’s defensive contributions, as well as a notable increase in his goal-scoring potential, already achieving nine goals in seven games as compared to his slow start last season. Furthermore, he leads the league in various scoring metrics, indicating that while his defensive growth may still be gradual, his offensive impact is solid.
Alonso’s validation of Mbappé’s talent is firm, noting that they are learning how to blend their styles effectively. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni emphasized the player’s crucial role in securing victories for the team. Real Madrid’s improvement in collective play was further acknowledged by Atlético’s coach, Diego Simeone, who noted their depth of talent across the pitch.
With a challenging schedule ahead, featuring crucial matches against Atlético, Juventus, and Barcelona, the upcoming fixtures will reveal the full extent of Alonso’s influence and Mbappé’s evolution within this revamped Madrid setup, providing insights on whether this transformation marks a turning point for the duo or if it will fade under pressure.
