The recent Club World Cup semifinal delivered a stark result: Real Madrid suffered a significant 4-0 loss against Paris Saint-Germain. For Kylian Mbappe, this match marked his first encounter with his former club since his move to Madrid in 2024, and it couldn`t have been less eventful from his perspective. He was effectively nullified, a performance mirroring the team`s overall struggle in what was, frankly, an embarrassing display.
Mbappe`s quiet return followed a bout of gastroenteritis, but the tactical setup, forced by absences, played a far more significant role. With Dean Huijsen suspended and Trent Alexander-Arnold injured, Coach Xabi Alonso deployed a traditional 4-4-2 formation. This setup, featuring Mbappe alongside Gonzalo Garcia, proved far too predictable and made it simple for PSG to control possession and restrict space. The statistics tell a clear story: Mbappe registered only 27 touches throughout the entire game, managing four shots with just one on target. Vinicius Jr. faced similar constraints, limited to a mere 21 touches. This tactical rigidity echoed issues seen last season against top-tier opponents when Real Madrid employed similar, less flexible structures.
The Case for a More Fluid System
Real Madrid`s prior successes in this tournament stemmed from employing a more dynamic approach, specifically a hybrid 4-4-2 diamond or a 3-5-2. These formations allowed players like Francisco Garcia and Trent Alexander-Arnold to function as attacking wing-backs, providing crucial width and creativity while Aurélien Tchouaméni offered defensive balance. This strategy, aligning with elements of Alonso`s tactical philosophy, injected a much-needed breath of fresh air. Francisco Garcia, in particular, benefited from this shift, seizing a chance under the new manager after appearing potentially surplus to requirements earlier.
The enforced return to a traditional back four against PSG exposed liabilities; the transition from defense to attack was stifled, and everything felt stale. However, this setback shouldn`t be viewed in isolation. The PSG match did see the return of Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, both key figures sidelined by injuries last season. Their reintegration, combined with the defensive depth offered by players like Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and Tchouaméni, provides Alonso with significant tactical flexibility moving forward. This depth means slip-ups can lead to adjustments, adjustments that can ultimately create more space for the attacking players.
Why 50 Goals Remains Attainable
The quiet performance against PSG wasn`t a reflection of Mbappe`s diminished ability, but rather the system`s failure to leverage it. In a setup that facilitates quick transitions and provides quality service, Mbappe`s pace and finishing become devastating. The potential partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold is particularly compelling here. Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the world`s best at delivering incisive, line-splitting passes – a skill tailor-made to unleash a forward like Mbappe into dangerous areas.
Despite perhaps not always operating in a system perfectly suited to his strengths last season, Mbappe still managed an impressive 43 goals and contributed five assists. The 4-0 defeat was a consequence of specific, unavoidable tactical compromises and individual player absences, not a sign of fundamental limitations. With the return of key players enabling more effective tactical configurations, and with providers like Alexander-Arnold potentially supplying him, the conditions are actually quite favorable for Mbappe to not only replicate, but potentially exceed his previous goal tally and break the 50-goal barrier this campaign.
In conclusion, while the loss to PSG was undoubtedly a poor result and exposed tactical frailties under duress, it appears to be an anomaly driven by circumstance. Real Madrid`s preferred and more effective tactical structures, now bolstered by returning key players and defensive depth, offer the potential to create the necessary space and service. Kylian Mbappe`s quiet game was a symptom of the system`s struggles, not a predictor of his season`s output. The target of 50 goals remains firmly within his grasp.
Gareth Pendleton