‘Mbappe fell flat when needed’ – why Real Madrid are in trouble

Three losses in five games and facing an uphill task to qualify for the next phase of the Champions League.

That is not a position 15-time European champions Real Madrid expected to be in.

Sitting 24th in the table following a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday, the Spanish giants find themselves in big trouble in the tournament in which they have long been heralded masters.

In the competition’s new format, the top eight teams automatically reach the last-16 while those in ninth-24th move into a two-legged play-off.

The defending champions are currently 24th and face the genuine prospect of not reaching the next phase.

Superstars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham had little influence on the game, with the former’s penalty miss summing up a torrid night for the holders.

England midfielder Bellingham said Liverpool were “more up for it” than his side while pundits said Real’s current performances are “alarming”.

With three losses in their five Champions League matches, as many as in their previous 24 games, what is going wrong for Real Madrid? Could they really be eliminated from the competition they have become so synonymous with?

Mbappe ‘flattered to deceive’

Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid has dominated headlines from the word go.

The months of speculation, the fact Paris St-Germain had to let him go for free, the astronomical wages, the hype and expectation.

And now, the French forward’s struggle to settle into this team of superstars.

“We haven’t seen the best of Mbappe tonight,” former Real midfielder Steve McManaman said on TNT Sports.

“They needed Mbappe tonight and he flattered to deceive. The Madrid press will be ruthless because he didn’t deliver again when he needed to.

“Madrid are going through a rough patch and the big players are not performing. All the baggage around Mbappe magnifies it. This year they are really, really struggling.”

Mbappe has not found his feet and questions remain over his position and how to get the best out of both he and Vinicius Jr, who plays a similar role, in the same team.

In the absence of Vinicius Jr through injury, Mbappe still failed to make his mark. But his team-mates remain confident he can produce.

“Kylian is a wonderful player but the pressure is humongous,” said Bellingham.

“The penalty is not why we lost the game. Kylian can keep his head high and I know for sure he will produce many more big moments for this club.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c238djn9xk5o