Kylian Mbappe made his highly anticipated La Liga debut for Real Madrid on Sunday against Mallorca, but it was not the triumphant start he had hoped for. The match ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw, leaving the France star and Carlo Ancelotti with mixed feelings.
Real Madrid started the game with promise, as Rodrygo put them ahead with just 13 minutes into the match. However, they were unable to maintain their lead.
In the second half, Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi levelled the score, and despite their efforts, Los Blancos couldn’t find a way to secure the victory.
How did Mbappe perform?
Mbappe, playing as the centre-forward, was not at his most dynamic. He had previously expressed that he prefers playing on the wing rather than in the middle.
Despite his limited impact, the French superstar tried to make a difference during the 90 minutes he was on the pitch.
He had a notable 13 touches in the penalty area and took four shots, with two of them on target. Additionally, he completed three successful dribbles and had an impressive pass accuracy rate of 81%, completing 25 out of his 31 attempted passes.
However, Mbappe’s total of 44 touches was the lowest among Real Madrid’s outfield players. This is somewhat expected for a centre-forward, but it still highlights how involved he was in the game.
Despite his efforts, he lost possession 11 times. For comparison, Vinicius Jr. lost possession on 24 occasions during the match.
Mbappe’s performance reflected the challenges of adjusting to a new position in a new environment. His usual flair and influence were somewhat subdued, but his involvement in the game was evident through his touches and attempts.
Real Madrid will be hoping that as he continues to adapt, his impact on matches will become more pronounced and lead to more successful outcomes for the team.