Real Madrid’s highly-anticipated summer signing, Kylian Mbappé, made his home debut at the Santiago Bernabeu amid much fanfare. However, it was another newcomer, Endrick, who stole the show with a goal to extend Madrid’s lead over Real Valladolid to 3-0. Mbappé failed to find the back of the net during his 86 minutes on the pitch, raising doubts about his performance and the overall progress of the team.
Mbappé’s debut was underwhelming, to say the least. He had the fewest touches and attempted passes among Madrid’s outfield players. Despite having four shots on goal, he failed to score, with three being saved by the Valladolid goalkeeper. The missed opportunities and lack of clinical finishing were evident throughout the game, leaving much to be desired from the star forward.
Against a compact and organized Valladolid defense, Mbappé struggled to showcase his greatest asset: his pace. The lack of space to operate and limited opportunities to exploit his speed hindered his performance. Ancelotti’s insistence on Mbappé’s adaptability to playing centrally did not translate well on the pitch, as he failed to make a significant impact during the game.
During the match, Mbappé could be seen in deep conversation with Vinícius, discussing how to better coordinate their movements and Madrid’s pressing tactics. The visible frustration and the apparent need for improved communication highlighted the challenges faced by the new signing in integrating into the team and establishing chemistry with his teammates.
While Mbappé faltered in front of goal, his replacement, Endrick, seized the opportunity to score and make an impression. The contrast between Endrick’s carefree finishing and Mbappé’s missed chances added to the scrutiny on the star player’s debut performance. The pressure to impress and meet the high expectations set by the fans and the club seemed to weigh heavily on Mbappé throughout the game.
The comparisons drawn between Mbappé and past Madrid greats, like Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldo Nazário, further highlighted the disappointment of his debut. The immediate impact and goal-scoring prowess displayed by previous stars in their first games at the Bernabeu only intensified the scrutiny on Mbappé’s performance. The expectations set for him as a marquee signing were not met during his home debut.
Overall, Kylian Mbappé’s first game at the Santiago Bernabeu fell short of the expectations placed on him as a superstar signing. The lack of goals, missed opportunities, and struggles to find his rhythm on the pitch raise concerns about his adaptation to the team and the challenges that lie ahead for both him and Real Madrid. As the season progresses, Mbappé will need to show significant improvement to justify his status as a marquee signing and win over the demanding Madrid fans.