As Real Madrid’s squad evolves with the addition of superstar Kylian Mbappé, fans and pundits alike have been debating one key question: does Mbappé truly make Real Madrid better? With an attack already brimming with talent—Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo—the inclusion of Mbappé has sparked conversations about balance, tactical fit, and potential clashes in style. Despite the hype, early signs from the season have raised questions about whether Mbappé is more of a disruption than an enhancement to Los Blancos’ formidable lineup.
The Tactical Overlap: Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé
One of the primary concerns is the striking similarity between Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. Both players thrive in the same areas of the pitch, predominantly the left side, and their style of play is eerily alike. From their expected goals (xG) to their attacking movements, their metrics are nearly identical. This creates a tactical conundrum for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who must figure out how to utilize two elite forwards who often want to occupy the same spaces on the field.
This overlap was glaringly evident in early matches. Real Madrid’s season opener, a 1-1 draw against an underdog side, showcased the limitations of the current setup. Madrid’s attack appeared disjointed, creating only 0.6 expected goals (xG) compared to the opponent’s 1.0, despite fielding what many considered an unstoppable attacking quartet.
The Ancelotti Factor: Freedom Over Structure
Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical approach, however, is anything but conventional. Unlike modern managers who enforce strict positional discipline and structured patterns of play, Ancelotti prefers to give his players a high degree of freedom. His philosophy is simple: adapt to the strengths of his squad rather than imposing a rigid system. Ancelotti has gone on record saying that his lack of a clear game model is a strength, not a weakness. He allows his forwards to express themselves on the pitch, often resulting in left-side overloads and unpredictable attacking sequences.
While this flexibility has worked in the past, particularly with Vinícius and Karim Benzema forming a devastating duo, adding Mbappé into the mix has complicated things. Social media has been flooded with images showing Madrid’s attack heavily clustered on the left, leaving other areas of the pitch underutilized. Despite this, Ancelotti maintains that the issue isn’t about positional overcrowding but rather how the team interprets and adapts to game situations.
Why Mbappé Can Still Be Key
Despite concerns, Mbappé’s addition has the potential to elevate Madrid’s attack to new heights. The dynamic interplay between him, Vinícius, and the rest of the forwards could make Madrid’s offensive unit one of the most unpredictable in world football. As the team grows more familiar with each other’s movements, they will naturally find a balance, making the left-side overloads less problematic. The flexibility Ancelotti promotes allows for tactical fluidity, which can be devastating when it clicks.
In fact, Madrid’s unpredictability has been hailed as one of their greatest strengths. Former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel once remarked that Real Madrid’s goals often come out of nowhere, turning seemingly controlled situations into scoring opportunities within seconds. The addition of Mbappé could amplify this, giving them even more weapons to exploit defenses.
A Bigger Problem: The Midfield Void
Interestingly, Mbappé’s inclusion isn’t the most critical issue facing Real Madrid this season. The loss of Toni Kroos, who has long been the heartbeat of Madrid’s midfield, might have a more profound impact on their overall performance. Kroos’ ability to control tempo, dictate play, and make crucial passes into the final third was unparalleled. Without him, Madrid’s buildup play looks more vulnerable, and there’s a noticeable lack of composure when transitioning from defense to attack.
While Madrid have the likes of Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouaméni, these players don’t offer the same level of control as Kroos. Bellingham, though brilliant in his own right, is a more forward-thinking player who often looks to push ahead rather than stabilize the play from deep. This imbalance could leave Madrid susceptible to counterattacks and defensive transitions, areas where Kroos was so effective.
Defensive Balance: Ancelotti’s Real Challenge
Ancelotti himself has admitted that the key challenge this season isn’t just finding harmony in attack but ensuring the team remains defensively compact. The freedom he grants his forwards means that defensive transitions could be a weak point. With multiple players bombing forward and occupying high positions, the risk of being exposed at the back increases. Ancelotti has hinted at needing more work rate from his entire team, particularly from midfield, to support defensive transitions.
Midfield cohesion will be vital. Ancelotti has already hinted at tactical tweaks, suggesting that his midfielders may need to play closer to the forwards to ensure effective pressing and compactness when out of possession. Players like Luka Modrić, though aging, could become crucial in stabilizing the team during critical moments of play, especially in high-pressure games.
Final Thoughts: Will Mbappé Be a Game-Changer?
While Mbappé’s arrival has sparked debate, it’s important to view his role in the context of Ancelotti’s adaptable, player-focused philosophy. Mbappé, alongside Vinícius Jr. and the rest of Madrid’s star-studded squad, has the potential to wreak havoc on defenses, but it will require time and tactical adjustments to truly unlock this team’s full potential.
The real test for Madrid will be maintaining defensive stability while allowing their attacking talents to flourish. With Ancelotti’s unique approach, we may not see immediate results, but if things fall into place, Real Madrid could once again be on the path to glory.
The next few months will tell whether this high-octane lineup can live up to its promise—both offensively and defensively. One thing is for sure, though: it’s going to be an exciting ride.
