The Three Players Who Failed to Make Us Forget Kylian Mbappé Are Found Guilty

Kylian Mbappé’s absence was felt as he has been a key player for Real Madrid this season, scoring 25 goals and providing 4 assists in 21 appearances. He was doubtful for the Champions League match against Manchester City due to a finger injury and muscle discomfort sustained in a recent match. Despite concerns, he was included in the squad, which offered a glimmer of hope. However, both Mbappé and coach Xabi Alonso decided against taking risks.

Life Without Mbappé

The 26-year-old player remained on the bench throughout the game. In his absence, other players were expected to step up. Rodrygo scored, meeting expectations, while Endrick made an interesting impact after coming on. However, some players disappointed, including Vinicius Junior, who had a chance to prove his worth but struggled significantly. Starting on the left wing, his performance was lackluster, and he received a low rating of 5 from Marca.

According to reports, Vinicius Jr. had a mixed performance. Although he started well and troubled the opposition with his runs, he soon faded. He earned a dangerous free kick, where a penalty was initially awarded, but the contact was outside the box. He missed a couple of clear chances, including a header and a shot that went over the bar. He struggled to create any real danger in the attack.

Vinicius Jr Disappoints Again

The Catalan publication noted that Real Madrid, struggling with six attacking options, saw Vinicius send three inaccurate crosses that were easily collected by Donnarumma, giving Manchester City a chance. Similar sentiments were echoed by Mundo Deportivo, stating he appeared active yet failed to create real threats after the initial minutes. Jude Bellingham also did not shine as he was expected to lead the team without Mbappé, failing to make a significant impact.

Despite receiving a rating of 7 from Marca, Bellingham did not impress. He assisted Rodrygo’s goal but made a critical marking error on Gvardiol during City’s equalizer. His second-half effort was admirable, but his offensive impact fell short of expectations. He needed more tactical awareness.

Bellingham and Gonzalo Underperform

Similarly, AS pointed out Bellingham’s poor marking on Gvardiol. Although he fought hard, his tactical awareness seemed lacking. Gonzalo Garcia, given a chance to impress as the starter, also struggled to make a mark, especially compared to Mbappé. His opportunities were scarce, and he became the team’s weak link.

Garcia’s press strategy was commendable, but he could not capitalize on the chances he had. Other players, like Aurélien Tchouameni, also faced criticism for subpar performances. Defensive player Antonio Rüdiger was highlighted for conceding an avoidable penalty. With crucial players absent, the expectation was for leaders like Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Gonzalo Garcia to fill the void, but they fell short.