Last season, Luis Enrique insisted that his PSG would be better without Kylian Mbappé . He can't be blamed, as the Parisians became European champions, and could also become world champions on Sunday if they beat Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup. In Madrid for a year now, KM9 has had his ups and downs. But unlike in France, where he was relatively unaffected during his time with the capital club, the Spanish press has not hesitated to point the finger at him. This was the case during his very timid first steps. He was then praised at the beginning of 2025 when he was scoring goals. This summer, he didn't really impress in the United States. Without wanting to make excuses, he suffered a devastating bout of acute gastroenteritis that caused him to lose 6 kilos in a few days.
Despite everything, he was 100% ready to face Paris, where he didn't really perform. The Frenchman didn't do the defensive work, particularly in terms of pressing, required by Xabi Alonso . Vinicius Jr. is in the same situation. The two stars have been criticized since Wednesday evening. And the Iberian press continues this Friday. Cadena SER writes about them: "the players didn't want to or couldn't run. He therefore believes that Xabi Alonso's main task at his new Real Madrid will be to make the Vinicius-Mbappé duo compatible within Chamartín's attack. Vinicius Jr. hoped to shine again in the United States, but the Brazilian has scored only one goal and provided one assist in six games. Mbappé, who has played 62 minutes in three matches, has scored one goal and provided one assist." A meager record. In Catalonia, Sport does not hesitate to cut them and indicates that the Galacticos project is collapsing.
The press still blames Mbappé and Vini Jr
"The defeat forces several reflections on the part of the staff and the club. Perhaps the most important (and arguably the most worrying) is the one that invites us to consider that the team's two big stars, Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé, are not compatible. The debate is taking place on the streets, at Real Madrid, but also within the club Xabi Alonso's experience of uniting them in a trident with Gonzalo García has only highlighted some of the problems the team faces when the two are on the pitch. Just over a year ago, when Mbappé had not yet signed for Real Madrid, there were already serious doubts about how the two men would condition themselves on the pitch. At that time, there was no doubt that Vinicius was the lord and master of the left wing, from where he threatened as the most unbalanced footballer in the world."
Sport continues: "However, the PSG player had repeatedly stated that left winger was his preferred position, ahead of the center forward. The controversy was at PSG and also in the French national team. A year and a few months later, the debate is no longer about the positions of the two parties. Vinicius is a starter on the left and Mbappé at the center of the attack. The question now is whether Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid can have two players on the pitch who barely put pressure on the opponent. Mbappé and Vinicius have both adopted a star role that does not benefit the team. They walk around the pitch waiting for the ball to come to them so that, yes, they can try to shine in offensive actions. When the Frenchman was ill and it was Gonzalo who stayed with the Brazilian at the forefront of the team, the defensive performances of the white team improved considerably."
Xabi Alonso will raise his voice with his stars
The Catalan media outlet, which also mentions an unrecognizable Jude Bellingham, speaks of Real Madrid's concern. The club will meet with its stars. Regarding Vinicius Jr., the goal is to find out what's happening to him and his future plans, as an extension is in the pipeline. However, El Chiringuito clarified overnight that the Brazilian hasn't received a call from management and is in no rush to extend his contract. For its part, Sport explains that the management believes he'll have to change this season if he wants to stay in Madrid for the long term. His situation clearly raises questions. Xabi Alonso, who will meet with him individually, as well as Mbappé, intends to get the best out of him. He expects more investment from his attacking players. And he's ready to toughen his stance, having settled in and observed during the tournament in the United States.
"Those in front don't run. Madrid is better prepared tactically, but those in front have to work. Xabi Alonso is not going to be silent from August. Those who work play, and those who don't work go to the bench ," explained journalist Edu Aguirre, who follows Real Madrid for El Chiringuito . The former Leverkusen coach is not happy with what he has seen and he intends to use all means to ensure that the players adhere to his playing philosophy. There will be no preferential treatment. If a player, regardless of his status, does not respect his instructions, he will be on the bench. A firm and radical method that contrasts with that of Carlo Ancelotti. Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr have been warned, Xabi Alonso will not let anything go. He is ready to send everyone to the bench, including his two stars.
0 Comments