Kylian Mbappe’s start at Real Madrid has been satisfactory, his performances neither spectacular nor underwhelming, but Saturday’s La Liga Clasico offers the French superstar a springboard to kick on from.
The derby clash against league leaders Barcelona is the kind of fixture where contributing to a victory can bank him both credit and time, as he continues to adapt to life in the Spanish capital following his move in June from Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe completed a “dream” switch to Madrid from PSG after years of failed attempts by the Spanish champions to lure him to La Liga.
The 25-year-old forward has scored eight times in 13 matches across all competitions but does not seem fully at home in the team, as coach Carlo Ancelotti continues to search for the best way to accommodate him.
Should he score against Barcelona and help Real Madrid match the Catalans’ all-time tally of 43 consecutive La Liga matches without defeat, everything will feel easier for the striker.
“We are satisfied with him, because he’s scored goals,” Ancelotti told reporters Friday. “I think he is gradually getting closer to his best level, but we are in no hurry, neither the staff nor him. He will continue to improve, because he has all the qualities to do so.”
Jude Bellingham created the blueprint for Mbappe last season, netting twice on his Clasico debut to snatch Madrid the game, and also scored a last-minute Bernabeu winner in the second league clash against Barcelona.
“(In Mbappe) we have a striker that can score 30, 35, 40 goals,” said Ancelotti, as he took goalscoring responsibilities away from Bellingham, who is playing deeper in midfield this season.
The coach also said this week he would rather Mbappe “scores goals than presses”, again highlighting his hopes that the Frenchman will increase his attacking output.
Mbappe has six goals in La Liga – by contrast, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski leads the scoring charts with 12, with the Catalans holding a three-point lead over Madrid at the top.
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