As Real Madrid prepare to face Real Betis on Sunday night, coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to reunite his star trio of Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior.
This comes after a challenging start to the La Liga season, with Madrid managing two draws and one win in their first three matches.
Despite scoring five goals, two of those came after Ancelotti substituted the front three in their victory over Real Valladolid, raising concerns about the team’s efficiency.
Mbappé’s Search for Goals
Kylian Mbappé, who joined Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, is yet to score in La Liga.
Although he netted in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, his domestic goal drought has drawn attention.
Ancelotti, however, remains confident in Mbappé’s ability to influence the game, emphasizing his role in creating chances and drawing defenders.
The Penalty Debate
One of the key talking points this season has been the issue of who takes penalties. Both Mbappé and Vinícius are eager to step up, with Vinícius taking the spot-kick in Thursday’s match against Las Palmas.
Ancelotti has left the decision to the players, trusting them to choose based on the match situation. Vinícius has been reliable, scoring his last five penalties, while Mbappé has had mixed success, missing two of his last four attempts for PSG.
Return of the Original Front Three
Thursday’s experiment, where Brahim Díaz started in place of Rodrygo, didn’t go as planned. Brahim struggled and was substituted at halftime.
Now, Ancelotti is expected to return to the original front three of Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Vinícius for the match against Real Betis. The trio will need to find their form quickly if Madrid are to secure a win and gain momentum in the league.
Balancing the Attack
A challenge for Ancelotti this season has been balancing the attack, as all three forwards prefer playing on the left wing.
Despite this, Ancelotti has made it clear that Vinícius will continue to occupy the left flank, while Mbappé and Rodrygo will need to adapt and find their space on the field.
The Pressure is On
As Madrid face Real Betis, the pressure is on Ancelotti’s attacking trio to deliver. With the talent at his disposal, the Italian coach will be hoping that the reunion of Rodrygo, Mbappé, and Vinícius will bring out the best in his team and secure a much-needed win.
Fans will be watching closely to see if Madrid can overcome their early-season struggles and start building momentum as the season progresses.
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