Real Madrid`s recent Club World Cup semifinal clash against Paris Saint-Germain delivered an unexpected and rather humbling 4-0 defeat. For Kylian Mbappe, facing his former club for the first time since his move, it was a notably quiet affair. Marked effectively by the opposition, the French forward managed limited touches and struggled to influence the game, a stark contrast to the dominant performances expected of him, especially in such a high-profile fixture.
This uncharacteristic display was, however, less a reflection of Mbappe`s immediate form and more a consequence of tactical adjustments forced upon manager Xabi Alonso. Deprived of key personnel due to suspensions and injuries, specifically affecting defensive and midfield options, Alonso deployed a more conventional 4-4-2 formation. This setup, placing Mbappe alongside Gonzalo Garcia in a relatively rigid structure, inadvertently made it easier for PSG`s well-drilled defense to control the space and restrict service, as evidenced by Mbappe`s mere 27 touches throughout the match. Vinicius Junior experienced a similar limitation with only 21 touches. This tactical rigidity, while sometimes effective against lower-ranked opponents, echoed some of the challenges Real Madrid faced against top-tier opponents last season under a different managerial approach.
The Preferred System: Unlocking Attacking Flow
In contrast, Real Madrid`s successful progression earlier in this tournament was built on a different tactical foundation: a flexible system often resembling a hybrid 4-4-2 diamond or a dynamic 3-5-2. This setup effectively utilized attacking wing-backs, allowing players like Francisco Garcia and Trent Alexander-Arnold to push high, provide width, and create numerous chances from wide areas. Meanwhile, a player like Aurelien Tchouameni offered crucial defensive balance, adeptly dropping back as needed to form a temporary back three or reinforce the midfield. This approach, reminiscent of Alonso`s successful methods at Bayer Leverkusen, injected fluidity and penetration into Madrid`s attack, giving forwards more avenues to receive the ball in dangerous areas and creating mismatches for opposing defenses.
The Returnees: Shifting the Balance
The key takeaway following the tactical misstep against PSG is the imminent return of important defensive figures. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, both pivotal players who missed significant time due to injury, made their first appearances for Madrid during the tournament, albeit in the losing effort. Their return to full match fitness, coupled with existing defensive options like Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and the versatile Tchouameni capable of deputizing at center back, provides Xabi Alonso with the depth and flexibility needed to consistently revert to the preferred tactical structure. This defensive stability is crucial; by allowing the system to function as intended, it inherently creates more space and opportunities further up the field, precisely where Mbappe operates most effectively.
Crucially, the successful implementation of the dynamic wing-back system relies heavily on players who can exploit the space and deliver quality service from wide and deep positions. Trent Alexander-Arnold, with his exceptional ability to play line-splitting passes, precise crosses, and probing diagonals, is arguably one of the best in the world at this specific technical skill. His vision and passing range are a mouth-watering prospect when paired with the blistering pace, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing of Kylian Mbappe. Imagine the possibilities: perfectly weighted passes breaking through compact defenses, met by a forward who needs only a yard of space to be lethal in front of goal.
Therefore, while the loss to PSG was undoubtedly a significant setback and an embarrassing scoreline, it appears to be more of a tactical outlier born from temporary necessity rather than a fundamental flaw in Real Madrid`s overall direction or Mbappe`s long-term suitability. Despite navigating a less-than-perfect tactical fit at times last season, Mbappe still managed an impressive personal tally of 43 goals and five assists. With the anticipated return to a system that maximizes attacking width and penetration, and specifically with a passer of Alexander-Arnold`s caliber consistently feeding him the ball, the outlook for Mbappe`s goal tally this season is exceptionally bright. The 4-0 result against PSG might understandably dominate headlines temporarily, but from a technical perspective, it shouldn`t overshadow the very real possibility that, with the right tactical framework restored, Kylian Mbappe could confidently surpass the 50-goal mark in the upcoming campaign. A dose of technical irony, perhaps? Sometimes, a tactical misstep against a top opponent serves to highlight the potential effectiveness of getting the system precisely right.
