Defeat to Lille, Real’s Worry Named Mbappé

Kylian Mbappé’s form once again raises concerns among Real Madrid fans.

After drawing against Atlético Madrid in the Madrid Derby, Real Madrid suffered a 0-1 defeat to Lille in their second group stage match of the 2024/25 Champions League. This marks the first time Los Blancos have been beaten after an 11-match unbeaten run consisting of wins and draws.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti made three changes for the trip to France. Thibaut Courtois’ groin injury opened the door for Andriy Lunin to make his first start of the season. Lunin made a crucial save to deny Jonathan David from opening the scoring. However, the stand-in goalkeeper couldn’t stop David from finding the net by the end of the first half. Eduardo Camavinga was penalized for handling the ball in the box, giving the Canadian striker the opportunity to score in the final moments of the first half.

In the second half, Kylian Mbappé was brought on as Real Madrid searched for a breakthrough. However, they were unable to create clear chances, and Lille remained resilient, securing a historic victory.

On a day when Real Madrid’s attackers lacked sharpness, Kylian Mbappé’s subdued display also contributed to the defeat. According to Sofascore, Mbappé’s stats against Lille were as follows: 33 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists, 17 touches, 1 successful dribble, 0 shots on target, and winning just 1 out of 3 duels.

Clearly, Mbappé’s form and fitness have yet to reach optimal levels, resulting in an underwhelming 33 minutes on the pitch. The French star carries high expectations, but at this stage, it might be best for him to rest and recover.

Comparing the two young goal-scoring stars of European football—Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé—Haaland currently holds the edge in both goal tally and physical fitness. The Norwegian striker often dominates in challenges, making his presence in the opposition box incredibly dangerous.

It’s important to remember that this is only Mbappé’s first season with Real Madrid, while Haaland is already in his second season with Manchester City. Early on, high expectations often come with added pressure. If Mbappé scores, there’s no problem, but failing to find the net in a few games brings media and public scrutiny.

Real Madrid will be competing across many fronts in the 2024/25 season, and they can only hope that Kylian Mbappé stays in top shape. After the defeat to Lille, several issues became evident, one of which is that if Mbappé doesn’t shine, Real faces immense pressure to get results.

Previously, when Mbappé missed the Madrid Derby due to injury, Real had to settle for a draw with Diego Simeone’s side, and their expected goals (0.76) were significantly lower than Atlético’s (1.28).

Clearly, Kylian Mbappé is a major concern for Real Madrid.