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The Athletic FC Podcast

Are Real Madrid worse with Mbappe?

Nov 19, 2024
Dermot Corrigan, a Madrid-based writer for The Athletic, is joined by analyst Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to dissect Kylian Mbappe's rocky start at Real Madrid. They delve into whether his high-profile transfer has hindered the team’s performance, discussing the disillusionment among fans and the stark contrast between Mbappe and emerging star Vinicius Jr. The duo explores the club’s challenges, from tactical misfits to pressing defensive needs, while contrasting expectations of fame with the harsh reality of on-field struggles.
38:51

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Kylian Mbappe's disappointing start at Real Madrid has raised questions about his fit within the squad and fan support dynamics.
  • The team's struggles with injuries and outdated training methods have compounded Madrid's performance issues, affecting morale and strategies.

Deep dives

The Impact of Mbappe's Arrival at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe's move to Real Madrid has not gone as expected, resulting in disappointment among fans and analysts. Initially viewed as a transformative signing with the potential to elevate the team's performance, he has struggled to find his form, contributing eight goals and two assists in 16 appearances. This discrepancy between expectations and reality has created a sense of unease, as fans reminisce about the prolific goal-scoring days of Cristiano Ronaldo. The team's struggles in La Liga and the Champions League further amplify concerns, leading to questions about Mbappe's fit within the squad.

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