Real Madrid’s attacking balance under scrutiny as Kylian Mbappe returns to partner Vinicius Junior for a decisive Champions League play-off in Lisbon.
KYLIAN Mbappe is set to return for Real Madrid’s crucial Champions League play-off second leg against Benfica on Tuesday. His availability forces coach Alvaro Arbeloa to again confront the tactical dilemma of balancing his two superstar forwards.
The French striker was rested for Saturday’s 4-1 La Liga win over Real Sociedad as a precaution. In his absence, Vinicius Junior delivered a masterclass, winning and converting two penalties in a dominant individual display.
Arbeloa was effusive in his praise for the Brazilian after the match. “Since I’ve arrived he’s had games at a really high level,” the coach said. “He is one of the best in the world, and it is a privilege to coach him.”
Mbappe’s return is nonetheless vital for the tie. He scored twice in the first leg, a 4-2 defeat in late January that forced Madrid into this play-off round. He is also the competition’s current top scorer with 13 goals.
The core issue for Arbeloa is whether the team loses defensive structure when both Mbappe and Vinicius start. This problem is compounded when Jude Bellingham is fit, though the English midfielder is injured for the trip to Lisbon.
All three stars started that heavy group-stage loss to Benfica, a match decided by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s stunning 98th-minute header. The defeat exposed a recurring vulnerability against organised opponents.
Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe is ready for the Estadio da Luz. “(Mbappe) is doing very well,” he stated. “We have decided not to take risks so that he will be ready to start the match on Tuesday. That will be the case.”
The coach has adopted a clear strategy of empowering his elite players since replacing Xabi Alonso in January. This approach has yielded improved form from Vinicius, who struggled for goals under the previous regime.
It mirrors the man-management style of former coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, even Ancelotti could not fully solve the puzzle of integrating Mbappe and Vinicius without sacrificing team balance.
The pair have publicly stated they enjoy playing together and their on-pitch understanding has improved since Mbappe’s arrival last season. Yet their shared reluctance to press or track back intensifies the defensive workload for their teammates.
Midfielder Fede Valverde highlighted the collective effort after the Sociedad victory. “Everyone worked hard,” he said. “You could tell that we were defending as a team during the whole game.”
Replicating that defensive unity in Lisbon with both superstars on the field presents Arbeloa’s biggest challenge. The match is a high-stakes test of whether Madrid’s modern ‘Galactico’ project can translate individual talent into cohesive team success.
The Sun Malaysia
