“In the first round, he was able to score more goals.” Arbeloa responded to the criticism directed a…

“In the first round, he was more effective in scoring goals.” Arbeloa responded to the criticism regarding Kylian Mbappé’s performance in the second half of the season. The former Real Madrid defender made it clear his stance on the discussions about Mbappé’s decline in that period. The statistics cited here aren’t random: indeed, Mbappé had more scoring opportunities in the early months of the season. This is typical for top forwards after they have reached their peak of adaptation and high starting motivation.

Arbeloa, who understands the demands of the Madrid club, believes that the decrease in Mbappé’s scoring ability isn’t a crisis, but rather a signal for a change in tactics. With a tight schedule, tactical adjustments, and increased attention from opponents to Mbappé’s defense, pure scoring opportunities become less important compared to influencing the game through creating space, providing assists, and putting pressure on defenders.

For the coaching staff, this is an opportunity to properly manage the workload. For Mbappé himself, it’s an opportunity to prove that his value goes beyond just scoring goals. At Real Madrid, players who can handle critical moments in the game are highly valued. If Mbappé continues to play a key role in the offense, then discussions about the “second half of the season” will quickly lose their relevance.