Does Real Madrid play better ‘without’ Kylian Mbappe?
Kylian Mbappe was forced to sit out Real Madrid’s narrow 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday. The forward missed the game due to a red card suspension for a foul on Deportivo Alaves player Antonio Blanco. Sitting in the stands for the important game against Bilbao, the Frenchman was booed fans when shown on the big screen. The fact that the game was held at the Santiago Bernabeu speaks volumes about the Madrid crowd’s current sentiment towards their star man.
Mbappe missing the game also led to discussions regarding the players contribution to the team, with statics revealing that the Los Blancos have managed to win every single game that their star man has sat out this season, in every major competition.
The Spanish giants have managed to go unbeaten in La Liga, UEFA Champions League and the Copa del Rey in games where Mbappe hasn’t featured. The club has 3 wins, 2 draws and zero losses in games where their prolific No 9 has did not make the playing XI. Madrid’s attack is often lopsided and heavily through the left-hand side when Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo play together. The fact that all three attackers drift to the left, leaving the right wing empty is a problem Carlo Ancelotti and his men have ahd to deal with throughout this campaign.
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Mbappe’s most recent game for Real came in a rather unimpressive attmept at a ‘comeback’ at home agaisnt Arsenal, in which the Gunners comfortably picked up a 2-1 win, cruising the tie 5-1 on aggregate. He was later subbed off in the 75th minute for an ankle injury sustained in a crunching tackle.
Recent reports however, have deemed his injurty to not be serious in nature, allowing the 26-year-old to play for his side in the Copa del Rey final against archrivals Barcelona on the 27th of April.
Mbappe’s red against Alaves also garnered a lot of criticism. The player’s suspension only lasted one game and he will be available for the La Liga fixture aga Barcelona on the 11th of May. Real are currently trailing their rivals four points with six games left.
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