Real Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti regards Kylian Mbappe as the primary issue affecting the balance of the team’s play. In discussions with staff and in on-field observations, Ancelotti has framed Mbappe’s defensive duties as a missing piece in Madrid’s press and transitions. The coach believes that when Mbappe drops to press and track back, the side becomes more compact and able to sustain pressure. When Mbappe is more focused on attacking, the balance tilts toward a wider, less cohesive shape, and that misalignment can be felt across the midfield and defensive lines.
Ancelotti’s emphasis is not a rebuke aimed at limiting Mbappe’s pace and creativity. It is a call for a more complete two-way contribution, so the team’s pressing rhythm and backline structure stay aligned. The aim is to preserve Mbappe’s threat in the final third while ensuring teammates know when to press, cover, or drop off. The result should be a more resilient Madrid that can play through tough spells and still threaten goals with speed and precision. The staff will assess how those runs align with the rest of Madrid’s pressing structure.
A contract with Real Madrid for Mbappe was officially announced on June 3. The forward joined the Spanish club as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, where he had spent his career since 2017. The move added a new chapter for Madrid, with supporters in both the Americas and beyond closely watching how the marquee signing would adapt to a different league and set of expectations.
During the current campaign, Mbappe has appeared in ten league matches for Real Madrid and has found the net six times. His pace and finishing offer Madrid a direct threat in transitions, and his ability to threaten in behind defences keeps opposition backlines honest. Yet the full impact goes beyond goals, as his movement often pulls defenders out of position and creates space for teammates. The staff will assess how those runs align with the rest of Madrid’s pressing structure.
Real Madrid sit second in La Liga with 24 points, while Barcelona leads the table on 33. Atlético Madrid sits in the top three with 23 points, keeping close pressure on the frontrunners. The early part of the season highlights how a single elite attacker can influence the team’s balance and momentum, especially when the supporting cast complements the pace and timing Mbappe brings to every phase of play.
Earlier reports linked Mbappe to a notion of buying shares in Alexander Golovin’s club. While that speculation remains unverified, it reflects the broad interest around Mbappe as a global figure and marketable asset. For Real Madrid, the focus remains on translating his individual quality into consistent team performance across domestic and European fixtures.
Ancelotti has long favored a flexible approach that can switch from a high-pressing game to a compact block when possession is lost. Mbappe’s speed provides Madrid with a potent outlet, particularly when the team wins the ball in midfield and drives quickly into dangerous zones. The challenge is to weave his attacking instincts into a cohesive machine that defends well and recovers quickly after turnovers.
Arriving as a high-profile free agent changed the dynamics in the dressing room, with conversations around how best to pair Mbappe with fellow forwards and how the midfield can support his runs. The coaching staff has worked to align the pace and timing of teammates with Mbappe’s movements, aiming for sharper combinations in the final third without surrendering discipline elsewhere on the pitch.
As the season unfolds amid the grind of La Liga fixtures and the Europe’s top competitions, Ancelotti will continue to test different setups to keep the defense engaged while maximizing Mbappe’s strengths. The balance of risk and reward remains a live issue for Madrid, who know that success hinges on maintaining a solid shape when pressure rises and letting Mbappe’s pace do the finishing when the moment arrives.
Supporters in Canada and the United States will be tracking every twist of this narrative as Real Madrid chase the league title and a deep cup run. Mbappe’s integration with the squad will determine whether Madrid can sustain a high tempo and a flexible attack, even as rivals push to close the gap in La Liga and abroad.
Meanwhile, the season’s early results suggest Madrid can navigate the balance test if the entire unit matches Mbappe’s intensity on the ball. The coming weeks will reveal how well Ancelotti’s plan translates into consistent performances and whether the French forward can anchor a system that thrives on both pressure and pace.
Real Madrid’s story with Mbappe remains a work in progress, but the signs point to a partnership that could define the club’s identity in this era. The next chapter will show whether a forward with extraordinary speed can merge his instinctive attacking flair with the defensive discipline that winners demand.