Mbappe Under Pressure in Home Debut

Carlo Ancelotti is demanding a significant improvement from Real Madrid as they prepare for their first home game of the LaLiga season against Valladolid on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappe making his highly anticipated Santiago Bernabeu debut.

Ancelotti expressed frustration following last weekend's underwhelming 1-1 draw at Mallorca, criticizing his team’s lack of attitude. “We had to do better, show more attitude,” he told reporters.

Mbappe and the rest of Real’s “New Galacticos” struggled in Mallorca, leaving goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to salvage a point with a series of crucial saves. “It was a game we could have lost because we didn’t have balance,” Ancelotti said. “We are a very attacking team, but defensive balance is fundamental.”

In recent matches, including the UEFA Super Cup victory over Atalanta, Ancelotti has positioned Mbappe centrally, supported by wingers Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo alongside Jude Bellingham, and flanked by midfielders Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. With Toni Kroos retiring, Ancelotti opted to prioritize attack over midfield stability.

However, Mbappe's impact has been less than expected, revealing vulnerabilities to counter-attacks. “We struggled to press after losing the ball,” Ancelotti noted. “Defending is a collective commitment. We need to work on understanding that balance is a key aspect of the match.”

As Real Madrid returns to the Bernabeu, the pressure on Mbappe to deliver is immense. Facing a newly-promoted Valladolid, who are buoyed by a strong start to their campaign, Mbappe’s performance will be crucial in regaining momentum and silencing critics.

The Bernabeu crowd will be watching closely, hoping that Mbappe’s debut will be a turning point and a step towards rectifying last weekend’s disappointment.