Mbappé’s Penalty Miss Highlights Real Madrid’s Struggles in San Mamés Defeat
Kylian Mbappé’s missed penalty proved costly as Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Club at San Mamés, marking their second league loss of the season. The French forward, who has been under the spotlight since his blockbuster move from Paris Saint-Germain, failed to capitalize on a crucial opportunity in the 70th minute to bring his team back into the game.
The decisive moment came after Antonio Rüdiger was fouled in the box, giving Mbappé the chance to equalize. Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala guessed correctly, diving to his left to deny Mbappé—a painful repeat of his penalty miss against Liverpool in the Champions League just a week earlier. The miss underscored Real Madrid’s struggles in front of goal and their dependence on key moments to turn games around.
After the match, Carlo Ancelotti defended Mbappé, emphasizing the need for patience. “He’s not at his best level yet, but adaptation takes time,” said the manager. “He’s scored 10 goals and is working hard to improve.” Despite his impressive scoring record, Mbappé has faced challenges adapting to Real Madrid’s system, particularly in a central role necessitated by Vinícius Júnior’s absence due to injury.
Against Athletic Club, Mbappé’s performance highlighted his current struggles. Frequently drifting wide, he disrupted the team’s attacking cohesion, leaving Real Madrid’s offensive play disjointed. While his speed and flashes of brilliance were evident, consistency and impact in decisive moments remain elusive.
Athletic Club capitalized on Madrid’s inefficiencies, maintaining a disciplined defensive structure and taking advantage of their home crowd’s energy. The Basque side’s resilience ensured that Real Madrid never found a rhythm, with Agirrezabala standing out as a key performer.
The loss leaves Real Madrid four points behind league leaders Barcelona, intensifying the pressure on Ancelotti’s squad as they approach a crucial phase of the season. With Barcelona pulling ahead and Atlético Madrid closing in, Real Madrid must address their attacking inconsistencies to stay in the title race.
For Mbappé, the missed penalty is another reminder of the challenges of transitioning to a new team and the weight of expectations as one of the world’s most prominent players. As Real Madrid looks to rebound, much will depend on Mbappé finding his form and becoming the decisive figure they signed him to be.
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