Kylian Mbappé has scored his first league goals for Real Madrid, and the attacker’s relief was immense. But has he and Real really hit the jackpot?
Kylian Mbappé knew who to thank first in the dressing room. Conveniently, the Frenchman has his locker next to Fede Valverde’s anyway, as he revealed after the game. The Uruguayan had set him up with a back-heel against Real Betis (2:0), allowing Mbappé to score his first goal in La Liga. “I told him: ‘Thank you for everything’,” Mbappé revealed.
From game to game, indeed from minute to minute, the pressure increased until it was finally released in the 67th minute. It was a “great moment” for Mbappé. “I had hoped to score a goal in this mythical stadium, the best in the world,” said the 25-year-old, who feels the club’s confidence despite his goal drought: ”People are very fond of me, even though I haven’t scored a goal. Three games without scoring is not much for many people. But it’s a lot for me.”
In the end, it was actually two goals. Vinicius Junior, who had converted a penalty in the 1-1 draw at Las Palmas, did not start against Betis and left the big stage to Mbappé. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had special praise for this, “that was very unselfish”. There is apparently no fixed agreement when it comes to penalties: “It’s communication, Vini takes the first and I take the second. The coach gives us freedom,” said Mbappé.
Real wanted to force Mbappé’s goal
But the fact that there was still sand in the Madrilenian gears against Betis could not be overlooked. As in previous games, the team’s attacking play was only occasionally effective and the running routes were often off the mark. Mbappé got stuck several times and made the wrong decisions. However, his teammates repeatedly tried to set him up – it sometimes seemed forced to help him score his first goal
Vinicius Junior is not yet in top form either. The Brazilian got tangled up in sometimes unnecessary dribbles on his left flank and repeatedly got into trouble with the referee, so the yellow card for complaining shortly before the first goal came as no surprise to anyone. The talkative Brazilian was even on the verge of being sent off after that. However, he was also unlucky with a shot that hit the post and won Real a penalty. Vinicius still has to wait for his first goal from the spot, however
Ceballos out for weeks
So not all that glitters is gold for the Whites. And so the question remains: is Mbappé really in good hands in the front line? The Frenchman reiterated that he can “play in all three attacking positions, just like I did in Paris, Monaco and the French national team”. The fact that people talk about him and Vinicius is “normal, we are two famous players. Now I have to learn from him, from his movements, from what he likes on the pitch.”
The first game after the international break will show whether Real have really got going, with an away game at Real Sociedad awaiting Mbappé & Co. Dani Ceballos, who was surprisingly included in the starting eleven, will not be involved. He will be out for six to eight weeks due to an ankle injury.
Ancelotti will therefore have to come up with something new and has already said what will be important in the future. “We have to be more consistent,” said the Italian. “Sometimes we’re a bit off the pace. “
