Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid’s marquee signing of the year, remained goalless as the defending champions managed only a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas in the Spanish league. This result marks another game where Mbappe has struggled to find the back of the net in league play this season, continuing a surprising goal drought that has fans and analysts alike scratching their heads.
Mbappe’s only goal since joining the Spanish giants came during Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup victory over Atalanta earlier this month. Despite being one of the most celebrated and expensive transfers in recent memory, the French superstar has yet to make a decisive impact in the league, adding to the growing sense of frustration surrounding his early days at the club.
In the match against Las Palmas, it was Vinicius Junior who delivered for Real Madrid, scoring the lone goal that managed to avoid a complete setback for the team. Vinicius has shown a knack for stepping up when needed, and his contributions are becoming increasingly critical as the team grapples with inconsistency early in the season.
Real Madrid came into the game with mixed form, having beaten Valladolid 3-0 in the previous round but also opening their title defense with a 1-1 draw against Mallorca. These early results are putting pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti, who acknowledged the team’s difficulties in maintaining the solid performances that led them to glory last season.
“It’s been difficult for us to be as solid as we were last season,” commented Ancelotti after the match, reflecting the broader sense of unease that has started to permeate the team and its supporters.
Adding to the concern is the fact that Real Madrid has now endured two draws in their opening three league matches. For a club with the ambition and history of Madrid, such results are naturally subjected to intense scrutiny.
Mbappe’s struggle to score is particularly noteworthy given his track record before joining Real Madrid. Known for his incredible speed, technical ability, and lethal finishing, he was expected to add a significant punch to Madrid’s attacking prowess. Yet, so far, his adaptation to the Spanish league has been far from seamless.
This scenario puts Mbappe in a challenging position. The pressure to perform is immense, not just from the fans and media, but also from the club hierarchy who invested heavily in bringing him to Madrid.
. There is a growing expectation for him to break his duck soon, as prolonged periods without scoring could undermine his confidence and place additional pressure on his teammates.
The game itself saw Real Madrid struggling to impose their usual dominance. Las Palmas, playing at home, showed resilience and refused to be overwhelmed by their more illustrious opponents. Their defensive organization and occasional counter-attacks posed problems for Madrid, who were unable to find the clinical edge required to secure all three points.
It wasn’t just Mbappe who struggled; the entire Madrid frontline found it challenging to break down the opposition. Midfield creativity also seemed lacking, with the team unable to create clear-cut chances consistently. This has raised questions about the balance of the squad and whether further adjustments are needed to optimize performance.
For Las Palmas, the draw is a significant achievement and a morale booster. Holding the defending champions to a draw is no small feat, and it showcases their potential to cause upsets in the league this season. Their ability to stay compact in defense and capitalize on counter-attacks could serve them well in future matches.
As Madrid moves forward, the focus will inevitably be on how quickly Mbappe can break his goal drought and integrate into the team’s attacking framework. The season is still young, but the early indicators suggest that Real Madrid will need to address these issues promptly to avoid falling behind in the title race.
Looking ahead, Madrid faces a crucial run of fixtures that could either consolidate their standing or further expose the early-season vulnerabilities. Both the coaching staff and players will be keen to find a solution, with the primary objective being to regain the formidable consistency that has characterized their most successful campaigns.
In the meantime, supporters will be hoping that Mbappe’s legendary talent resurfaces quickly, turning these draw-like results into victories and justifying the excitement and investment surrounding his move to the Spanish capital.
