WHEN Kylian Mbappe’s huge free transfer to Real Madrid was announced, the prospect of him lining up in all-white against Barcelona was mouth-watering for any football fan.
However, the Frenchman’s El Clasico debut was an utter washout.
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Not only were Los Blancos on the wrong end of a 4-0 scoreline at home, but Mbappe – the supposed signing of the summer – was considered one of the worst players on the pitch.
Rising star Pau Cubarsi made life particularly difficult for him from the heart of Barcelona’s defence.
The 17-year-old played a crucial role in the Catalan club’s hugely effective offside trap, which caught Real Madrid out 15 TIMES.
Mbappe was the main victim of the set-up, having been flagged offside EIGHT TIMES.
No other player in Europe’s leading leagues had been flagged as often as that in a single match since Lazio’s Ciro Immobile against Sampdoria eight years ago.
The forward also had two goals ruled out after being found in an offside position.
His missed opportunities prompted criticism from Carlo Ancelotti at full-time.
The hugely experienced manager said: “We knew that they played with a high line, and we just couldn’t take advantage of it.
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“Sometimes he fell offside, but he had three or four chances to score and needed a better finishing touch.”
Discussing the match in general, the Italian continued: “We don’t have to throw everything in the trash. We have to forget the last 30 minutes.
“It does not reflect what happened on the field. We couldn’t get ahead on the scoreboard and they took advantage.
“The game, until the first goal, was very even and we had more chances.
“We already lost 4-0 here to Barca and won La Liga and the Champions League. We won’t be far from last season.”
Mbappe’s fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry, who played for Barcelona during his career, has spoken about the Real Madrid striker’s levels dipping since his departure from PSG.
Henry said on CBS Sports: “Is he playing the best that we have seen him playing from his days at PSG? No.
“He still has to learn. He needs to play better as a No.9, which is very difficult for him at the minute. He is scoring goals, but that isn’t enough at times at club’s like that (Real Madrid).
“I will play the devil’s advocate: we always say it takes time for a player to adapt to a new club, but unfortunately, when you wear that jersey, they don’t give you a lot of time.”
Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood star
By Gerard Couzens
KYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.
The French superstar, whose drawn-out transfer to Real Madrid has finally being confirmed, is said to have finalised the purchase late last month.
Respected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.
And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.
La Razon said Mbappe had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.
But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”
Read more on Mbappe’s property hunt.
