In his first appearance against his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, since transferring to Real Madrid as a free agent in 2024, Kylian Mbappé faced a tough challenge in the Club World Cup semifinals. The match proved disappointing for Madrid, resulting in a significant 4-0 defeat to PSG. Mbappé, making his initial start of the tournament following recovery from gastroenteritis, was effectively marked out of the game. This difficult outing occurred while Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso was compelled to modify the team`s tactical setup due to various suspensions and injuries.
With Dean Huijsen suspended and Trent Alexander-Arnold injured, Alonso opted for a standard 4-4-2 formation, placing Mbappé alongside Gonzalo Garcia. This system made it considerably easier for PSG to maintain possession in advantageous areas. Mbappé had limited impact, touching the ball only 27 times throughout the match, taking four shots with just one on target. Vinicius Junior also saw minimal involvement, recording only 21 touches. This lack of touches for key attackers clearly hampered Real Madrid`s scoring ability. The setup echoed a strategy used previously under Carlo Ancelotti that, while effective against lower-ranked teams, struggled against top global opponents last season.
Adapting the Defensive Shape
Earlier in the tournament, Real Madrid found success by utilizing a hybrid 4-4-2 diamond or a 3-5-2 formation. These tactical approaches allowed Francisco Garcia and Trent Alexander-Arnold to actively participate in attacking moves, with Aurélien Tchouaméni providing defensive support as needed. Both wing-backs were instrumental in generating numerous chances for the forwards, contributing significantly to Madrid`s victories. This tactical flexibility bears resemblance to Alonso`s successful style at Bayer Leverkusen and has provided a refreshing change for Real Madrid. Before the tournament, Francisco Garcia`s position seemed less secure, but the new manager`s fresh perspective has given him an opportunity to solidify his place in the squad.
However, when the team was forced to revert to a traditional back four, defensive vulnerabilities became apparent. The team struggled to transition effectively from defense to attack, leading to a stagnant performance. Moving forward, this issue may diminish as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militão returned from injury to make their first appearances for Madrid in the PSG loss during the tournament. Both players were vital components of Madrid`s structure before sustaining injuries that ended their previous season prematurely, and their presence will be crucial for challenging for the La Liga title once more.
Antonio Rüdiger also displayed defensive shortcomings during the match. Nevertheless, with options like Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and Aurélien Tchouaméni all capable of playing center-back, potential defensive adjustments by Alonso could help create more space for Mbappé to operate. While Mbappé and Vini Jr sometimes occupied similar positions last season, this becomes less of an issue if the defense can be effectively bypassed. Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the world`s best at executing line-splitting passes, which presents a tantalizing prospect for the attack. Despite not always fitting perfectly into Madrid`s attack last season, Mbappé still managed to score 43 goals and provide five assists. With Alexander-Arnold potentially feeding him passes, he is well-positioned to exceed the 50-goal mark in the upcoming campaign.
