Kylian Mbappé will spearhead Real Madrid’s attack against Barcelona this Sunday, precisely one year after his forgettable El Clásico debut at the Santiago Bernabéu. The French superstar endured a challenging first encounter, marked by eight offside calls and two disallowed goals during Madrid’s 4-0 defeat.
Despite early struggles following his move to Spain, Mbappé finished last season strongly. He claimed the La Liga Golden Boot with 44 goals across competitions. The 25-year-old has maintained excellent form this campaign, netting 15 times in 12 appearances.
Manager Xabi Alonso remains confident in his star forward. “I’m unconcerned about his recent goalless outing. He created several chances and missed by millimeters,” Alonso noted. “These technical aspects can be refined through training.”
Mbappé has significantly improved his offside positioning this season. His average has decreased from 0.93 to 0.78 offsides per match. This progress was evident during Madrid’s recent 2-0 victory over Villarreal, where he stayed onside throughout.
The forward has since developed an impressive record against Barcelona. He scored five times in three meetings last season, including a league hat-trick and decisive goals in both cup finals.
Sunday’s clash presents Mbappé with a prime redemption opportunity. Real Madrid aim to maintain their La Liga leadership at a charged Bernabéu stadium.
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