Kylian Mbappé has not returned to respectable form, but he at least had the merit of scoring his 11th goal of the season with Real Madrid on Saturday evening in a 3-0 victory in Girona. Carlo Ancelotti’s formation was shaken up by the Catalan formation which surprised the whole of La Liga last season and it was the talent of Jude Bellingham which tipped the scales towards the Merengues. The English midfielder opened the scoring strongly at the half-hour mark (36th) before throwing Arda Güler on goal for the break goal (55th).
This time deprived of the ball provocations of Vinicius (soon to return) and Rodrygo (victim of a small muscle injury), Mbappé did not have any chances for a long time. And when he escaped the goal by blocking the ball with his hand, he did not score by shooting wide! But a week after his beautiful long-range strike against Getafe, the French phenomenon perfectly placed a cross shot for Real’s 3-0. Enough to relieve him a little after his two missed penalties against Liverpool then Bilbao on Wednesday.
Mbappé scores but Bellingham injured
Real is doing well in the Spanish championship standings since the reigning Spanish champions are two points behind Barça (hung by Real Betis earlier in the day) with one game in hand!
The meeting in Girona was, however, spoiled by two injury exits, Jude Bellingham and Ferland Mendy in the second half. In both cases, it could be muscular or adductor discomfort, which would require only a few days of rest. Problem, Real must react in the Champions League by not falling in Bergamo against Atalanta next Tuesday. The defending champion is in a worrying situation in 24th place after two victories and three defeats. If Mbappé must score, it will be against the Dea in three days.
