Mbappé’s Disappointing Real Madrid Debut: Pressing Concerns Emerge

Real Madrid secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in a heated La Liga derby on Sunday, moving within four points of league leaders Barcelona, but the match was overshadowed by the performance of Kylian Mbappé following his return from injury. The French forward, who came on as a substitute in the 64th minute for Thiago Pitarch, drew sharp criticism from Spanish media for a perceived lack of effort and defensive contribution.

Mbappé’s return to the pitch followed a knee sprain that kept him sidelined for several weeks, and manager Alvaro Arbeloa had previously stated his intention to reintegrate the star gradually. Despite being declared “100% fit” before the match, Mbappé’s impact was minimal, prompting a wave of negative assessments from pundits and supporters alike.

“He runs, he fights, he knows what’s at stake. A committed, united Real Madrid. It’s a shame they finished with nine players, without Valverde… and without Mbappé,” commented a commentator on the radio show El Chiringuito, suggesting Arbeloa risked jeopardizing the title race by deploying the forward. The station further claimed Mbappé showed little effort during his time on the field.

Newspaper AS echoed these sentiments, stating Mbappé “did nothing but stroll around the Bernabéu” during his 25-minute appearance. The report highlighted a lack of defensive pressing, particularly after Federico Valverde’s 77th-minute red card, as a major point of concern. AS contrasted Mbappé’s performance with that of his teammate Vinícius Júnior, who was praised for his work rate and impact on the game.

The criticism extended to questions about Arbeloa’s tactical approach when Mbappé is fully fit. Carrusel Deportivo questioned whether Mbappé’s defensive commitment was sufficient, stating, “Looking at Mbappé… he presses like he always does, which is never! And something is missing. The question is how Arbeloa will manage the team’s tactical setup when Mbappé is a starter.”

Arbeloa defended his decision to substitute Mbappé, attributing it to the player’s recent injury layoff. “I always try to field the best team possible. Kylian has been out for three weeks, it was the logical thing to do. It’s better not to take risks,” he said after the match. He expressed hope that Mbappé would gain further match fitness during the upcoming international break with the French national team, stating, “I hope now he’ll get more playing time with France and return to us at 100%.”

The debate surrounding Mbappé’s performance comes as France prepares for a series of international friendlies. Arbeloa believes these matches will provide a valuable opportunity for the forward to regain full match sharpness ahead of the crucial final stretch of the La Liga season.