La Liga awards an honorary title of “MVP” after each match (as in US sports, the distinction has a sponsor) and the star players of the Spanish championship are often highlighted. Not very serious in itself. Except that Real Madrid supporters absolutely do not understand how Kylian Mbappé was elected player of the match for the fifth time this season, Sunday as part of the 14th day, after the 3-0 victory against Leganés, in the southern suburbs of the capital.
Mbappé found the net again after four matches without scoring, taking advantage of a perfect effort from Vinicius before half-time (43rd). But he was absolutely not the best player on his team. If the goal scored is a relief for the French international, his performance is not reassuring. Carlo Ancelotti had decided to shift him to the left wing in order to give him a little confidence but, in addition to putting “Vini” back at the forefront, the captain of the Blues did not shine in his provocations with the ball at his feet.
Vinicius and Valverde better than Mbappé
Vinicius was untenable, with 5 successful dribbles and a total of three big chances created, and would have deserved to be MVP of the game. Real’s other two scorers were also better on the pitch than Mbappé. Starting with Federico Valverde. Right side in the absence of Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, the Uruguayan midfielder shined on the field and scored Madrid’s second goal with a free kick taken under the wall (66th). Jude Bellingham, scorer of the 3-0 header, also had a full match.
Real did the job against the 14th in Liga, despite this unconvincing replacement of Mbappé on the left of Vinicius, and took the opportunity to come back four lengths behind Barça, a leader who was hung up on Saturday in Vigo (2-2) . Eduardo Camavinga and his teammates will have to put in an XXL performance against Liverpool on Wednesday at Anfield. And Mbappé, if not excellent in the game, will have a good opportunity to score and make his team win during this great shock of the regular phase of the Champions League.
