As Real Madrid navigate a season of high expectations and no room for error, Carlo Ancelotti faces the complex challenge of managing Kylian Mbappe’s game time during a demanding stretch of seven games in 22 days.
While Madrid’s season could span up to 72 matches, this period before the October international break is critical; they face La Liga and Champions League fixtures with little time for recovery.
Since his much-anticipated arrival at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has been a focal point of discussion. Fans and pundits alike were eager to see how the Frenchman would integrate into Madrid’s already star-studded attack.
His early performances sparked debate; especially concerning how he and Vinicius, both of whom favor playing on the left, would coexist in the same lineup.
The Frenchman went goalless in his first three La Liga matches; prompting some concerns about the chemistry between him and Vinicius.
However, his two-goal performance against Real Betis before the international break helped alleviate some of that pressure, showcasing the potential of Madrid’s revamped attack. According to Ancelotti, the second-half performance in that game was a blueprint for how the team should operate moving forward.
Seven games in 22 days
After the international break, Real Madrid return to action with an intense schedule, beginning with an away game at Real Sociedad this weekend.
Following that, they will embark on their Champions League title defense with a home match against Stuttgart before diving back into domestic league play. Los Blancos will face Espanyol, Alaves, and Atletico Madrid, along with a Champions League trip to Lille and finally a match against Villarreal.
With so many matches in such a short span, Madrid must carefully manage their squad’s physical and mental exertion; especially that of Kylian Mbappe. The club is thus working on a plan to optimize his playing time while keeping him fresh for…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/madrid-aim-to-rest-mbappe-in-seven-game-run-before-fifa-break/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-09-14 14:43:30
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