Kylian Mbappé’s transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid was one of the most high-profile moves in football history, and it’s clear that even a player who became a World Cup champion with France at just 19 years old has found the pressure difficult to handle. While his statistics are solid, his overall impact on Carlo Ancelotti’s team has been underwhelming. However, Mbappé has the opportunity to change that this Saturday when Villarreal visits the Santiago Bernabéu in the 9th round of La Liga.In Real’s last two matches, the 25-year-old forward has not been a starter. He didn’t even make the squad for last weekend’s city derby against Atlético due to a muscle injury, and in the disastrous Champions League game against Lille on Wednesday, he played the final 33 minutes. He wasn’t able to change the game, and Lille secured a 1-0 victory, handing Madrid their first defeat of the season.Before his injury, Mbappé scored in five consecutive matches. He found the net in the Champions League against Stuttgart (3-1) and scored twice in La Liga against Real Betis (2-0), followed by goals against Real Sociedad (2-0), Espanyol (4-1), and Alavés (3-2). He also recorded his first assist of the season in the Espanyol game, setting up Vinícius Júnior for the 3-1 goal.UCL: The biggest scalp in Lille history – Real Madrid fall at Stade Pierre-MauroyStatistically speaking, Mbappé is delivering expected numbers. In 10 appearances across all competitions, he has scored seven goals. In the nine matches he has started, Real Madrid have won seven and drawn two. It sounds impressive on paper.However, those who have watched Real’s games know that Mbappé hasn’t had the level of influence everyone anticipated. Perhaps he’s struggling to adapt to life abroad for the first time in his career, or maybe he hasn’t been fully embraced by the Real dressing room. It’s already easy to find online compilations showing numerous moments where Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior failed to pass to each other, ruining attacking opportunities out of stubbornness. Cameras have even caught them arguing during matches, with Mbappé visibly frustrated with Vinícius’ decisions. Such behavior should not happen at this level.Most of Mbappé’s goals have come when Real Madrid was already leading. Only against Betis and Stuttgart did his goals give Madrid the lead. Additionally, three of his goals have come from penalties, which further tarnishes the overall impression.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Last season, Mbappé scored 44 goals for PSG, and his start to the season was similar to this one. After the same number of games, he had scored eight goals, three of which were also from the penalty spot. However, in Paris, he was the captain, and almost every attack went through him. Here, that hasn’t been the case so far.In contrast to last season, Jude Bellingham has been nearly invisible. He entered October last year with eight goals to his name, while in this campaign, the Englishman has yet to score. Of course, it’s a different situation this time around, as he missed four matches due to injury and has been playing in a slightly deeper role since Mbappé’s arrival.The loss to Lille and the fact that Real has only won one of their five away games this season are causing concern among fans, and it’s understandable that numerous critics in Spain have voiced their concerns over the past few days. However, there is still more than enough time for Ancelotti to get the team back on track and compete for every trophy until the end.⏳ #RealMadridVillarreal ⏳ pic.twitter.com/ghsJq5gmuI— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) October 5, 2024 On a positive note, Real Madrid remain perfect at home. They’ve won all five of their matches at the Bernabéu, although they have conceded goals in each of their last three home games. Villarreal, who have had an excellent start to the season with only one loss, will certainly try to test Real’s defense. Their sole defeat came in a heavy 5-1 loss to Barcelona.The Yellow Submarine is currently third in the standings, just one point behind Real. Their fans are hoping for a repeat of April 8, 2023, when Villarreal came from behind to beat Real 3-2 in Madrid. Alternatively, they might settle for a repeat of their most recent encounter in May, which ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw, a game where the reigning Spanish champions squandered a three-goal lead.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 9Friday Leganes – Valencia 0-0Saturday Espanyol – Mallorca 2-1 (1-0)/Kumbulla 18, Jofre 48 – Raillo 68/17.15: (2.25) Getafe (2.95) Osasuna (4.10)19.30: (3.25) Las Palmas (3.50) Celta (2.30)19.30: (3.00) Valladolid (3.05) Rayo Vallecano (2.55)22.00: (1.30) Real Madrid (6.50) Villareal (9.50)Sunday 15.00: (2.45) Girona (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (3.05)17.15: (5.70) Alaves (4.00) Barcelona (1.60)19.30: (2.60) Sevilla (3.25) Betis (3.00)22.00: (3.40) Sociedad (3.20) Atl.Madrid (2.40)***odds are subject to change***
