With Vinícius Júnior sidelined due to injury, Kylian Mbappé will bear the weight of Real Madrid’s attacking hopes as they face Liverpool in a crucial Champions League encounter on Wednesday. The French superstar, still acclimating to life in Madrid, has faced a rocky start but is under immense pressure to deliver, especially with his team struggling in the group stage.
Mbappé Steps into the Spotlight
Mbappé finally broke his five-match goal drought with a well-taken strike in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Leganés in La Liga on Sunday. Playing in his preferred left-wing position for the first time under Carlo Ancelotti, the French captain opened the scoring with an assist from Vinícius. However, with the Brazilian now out for over three weeks, Madrid will lean heavily on Mbappé to lead their attack.
The stakes are high: Madrid sit an uncharacteristic 18th in the Champions League standings, with just one win in four matches. Group leaders Liverpool pose a tough challenge at Anfield, and Mbappé’s European output—only one goal so far—needs to improve dramatically.
A Tactical Shift
Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments could be key to maximizing Mbappé’s impact. Until now, the Italian coach hesitated to place Mbappé on the left wing ahead of Vinícius, who thrives in that role. Instead, Mbappé has often been deployed as a central striker, where he has struggled to influence games consistently.
However, the injuries to Vinícius, Rodrygo, and Lucas Vázquez leave Ancelotti with limited options. A potential solution could be pairing Mbappé with Jude Bellingham in a two-man forward line. Bellingham, deployed in a deeper midfield role this season to accommodate Mbappé, may now return to a more advanced position to bolster Madrid’s attack.
Mounting Pressure
Off the pitch, Mbappé’s transition to Real Madrid has been far from smooth. He has faced legal troubles, including a Swedish rape investigation he labeled “fake news,” and a financial dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain over unpaid wages. These issues, combined with criticism of his recent performances, have put the 24-year-old under intense scrutiny.
Despite the external pressures, Ancelotti remains confident in Mbappé’s ability to shine, dismissing speculation about the striker’s mental health as “ugly.” The goal against Leganés offered a glimmer of hope that Mbappé is finding his rhythm at the right time.
A Crucial Test at Anfield
Real Madrid are in a precarious position in the Champions League group stage, needing a strong performance against Liverpool to stay in contention for automatic qualification. Mbappé’s role will be pivotal, especially with a depleted squad missing key defensive players like Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, and Éder Militão.
Mbappé’s task is daunting: carry Madrid’s attack, silence critics, and help the team climb the group standings. A standout performance against Liverpool could cement his place as Madrid’s new talisman and reinforce his reputation as one of football’s biggest stars.
As Madrid prepares for their trip to Merseyside, all eyes will be on Mbappé to see if he can rise to the challenge and deliver in one of the season’s defining moments.
