📉 Mbappé’s Impact Under Alonso
1. Disorder in the Team Structure
Analysts from Cadena SER and The Guardian suggest that incorporating Mbappé into Xabi Alonso’s system has disrupted Real Madrid’s tactical cohesion:
- The front three of MbappĂ©, VinĂcius, and Gonzalo GarcĂa “does not work” and disorganizes the team
- The team “played worse” against PSG compared to previous matches, hinting that Mbappé’s inclusion may be partly to blame .
2. Reluctance to Press
Multiple reports highlight that Mbappé is not buying into Alonso’s pressing and defensive demands:
- He had the fewest touches, created no chances, and notably avoided pressing opponents.
- Alonso has explicitly demanded that MbappĂ© and VinĂcius contribute defensively: “Everyone has to defend… Mbappé”.
3. A Familiar Challenge
The scenario mirrors a past issue for Luis Enrique at PSG: having a high-scoring forward who doesn’t integrate tactically, forcing the coach to choose between style and star power.
👇 Key Quote from Analysts:
“El gran reto de Xabi Alonso es que el Madrid sea mejor con Mbappé… se le desordena el equipo y traiciona el estilo.”
(“The big challenge for Xabi Alonso is to make Madrid better with Mbappé… the team gets disordered and betrays the style.”)
đź”® What This Signals for the Future
| Challenge | Insight |
|---|---|
| System vs. Star Player | Alonso must decide if his system adapts to Mbappé, or vice versa. |
| Pressing Culture | Unless Mbappé embraces defensive duties, the team’s cohesion remains at risk. |
| Tactical Identity | Alonso needs to find balance—too much adaptation hurts structure, too little isolates the star. |
💤 So—Does Mbappé “get in Alonso’s way”?
Yes, in the sense that his presence has spotlighted a fundamental dilemma: how to incorporate a world-class talent who doesn’t fully align with the intensity and balance Alonso’s system demands.
