In the Zone: Kylian Mbappé's movement paves the way for Real Madrid's "complete game"
Thursday, February 20, 2025
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UEFA Technical Observer Rafa Benítez lauds Real Madrid's display against Manchester City.
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Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti called it a "complete game" from his team but, inevitably, the spotlight shone on one man above all after Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Manchester City. That man was hat-trick hero and Player of the Match Kylian Mbappé, whose movement and runs in behind captured the defining aspect of the hosts' attacking display in this UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs second leg.
That was the view of UEFA Technical Observer Rafa Benítez, who said "runs in behind made the difference" at the Santiago Bernabéu – and he was not alone in that opinion either. "We could not defend the movement" was the admission of Pep Guardiola as he lamented his City side's struggles in the face of Mbappé "attacking the space", something which forms the focus of the following analysis, brought to you by FedEx.
The video above begins with Mbappé's early opening strike which follows a wonderful ball from the back by Raúl Asencio. It is worth noting the technical details in the lead-up, starting with how Asencio's first touch tees him up to deliver a precise long pass with his second.
There is eye contact between him and Mbappé, and as soon as Asencio puts his head down to kick the ball, the Frenchman commences his run. As Asencio told Movistar Plus afterwards: "There are players who make things easy for you and I saw his movement perfectly."
What comes next is Asencio's pass landing in the perfect place, just beyond Rúben Dias but too far for the outrushing goalkeeper Ederson, who is left in no man's land as Mbappé applies the cool lob.
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For Benítez, a notable point was that Madrid's threat in behind did not spring solely from transitions. "Real Madrid had possession and they still had more runs in behind," he observed. "Normally when you're deep and playing counterattack is when you run in behind."
The second clip underlines this point. We see Madrid in controlled possession and Aurélien Tchouaméni able to find a pocket of space in the centre of the pitch where he receives a pass from Asencio. He duly spots the movement of Mbappé, curving his run to stay onside, and releases his compatriot with the outside of his foot.
Ederson makes the save on this occasion but for City, it was a recurring worry on a night Mbappé produced 11 runs in behind – the joint-highest number for a Madrid player alongside Vinícius Júnior.
With Mbappé's treble, the Champions League holders have now scored three goals or more in each of their last five matches in all competitions. Ancelotti, while keen to stress his delight with their compactness and defensive balance, admitted that with their front four shining, they looked more menacing than ever. "When they are able to connect together, we are really, really dangerous," he said.
Speed is integral to that danger, yet the variety of their attacking movements was also evident. Tellingly, Guardiola remarked: "Their dynamism is good and their individual quality but when they have the opposition on them, they can hold on to the ball and keep it moving. This was a bit harder for them in the past when they were more about transitions."
This is illustrated by the third clip, showing the second goal. Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are all involved in a fluid passage of play that ends with Rodrygo threading a pass to Mbappé whose Fred Astaire footwork leaves Joško Gvardiol on his backside before the precise low finish.
"Mbappé never loses the ball and is always dangerous when he has the possibility to attack the back four," added Ancelotti in summary. "It's good for him to score three goals at the Bernabéu for the first time." On this evidence, it is unlikely to be the last time.
