Kylian Mbappe’s highly anticipated La Liga debut for Real Madrid has raised questions about the team’s balance, as the Spanish champions drew 1-1 at Mallorca last weekend. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in terms of defensive stability.
Mbappe, who joined Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, is expected to make his first home appearance for the club on Sunday against Real Valladolid. The French superstar is hoping to make a greater impact at Madrid than his predecessor, Ronaldo, who won just one La Liga title and failed to lift the Champions League during his five seasons in the Spanish capital.
One of the main challenges for Ancelotti is finding the right balance in his attacking lineup. Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham have all been deployed in the starting XI, but their preference for playing on the left flank has created some congestion. Additionally, Bellingham’s role in midfield has been compromised, as he is forced to drop deeper to accommodate the three forwards.
“We need to defend better, we need more balance,” Ancelotti said after the Mallorca draw. “It’s a team problem that they didn’t understand was a key aspect in this game.”
While Real Valladolid may not pose a significant threat on paper, Ancelotti will be eager to see his team improve their performance. Mbappe, who scored against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, will be looking to mark his Bernabeu debut with a goal.
However, Madrid’s attacking prowess could also prove to be a double-edged sword. Teams may be motivated to rise to the challenge of stopping the “fantastic four,” as the attacking quartet has been dubbed.
“We’re going to face the best team in the world, with one of the best coaches in history and the best attack in the world today,” said Valladolid coach Paulo Pezzolano. “We know what we’re going to face, but we’re going there convinced that we’re going to compete and bring something back home.”
