Kylian Mbappé’s missed penalty against Athletic Bilbao has become a focal point in Real Madrid’s disappointing 2-1 defeat, further intensifying scrutiny of his form and his adjustment to life at the Santiago Bernabéu. The incident underscores a troubling trend, as this marks his second consecutive missed penalty following a similar mishap against Liverpool. Despite his high-profile status, Mbappé’s penalty technique and composure are now under the microscope.
Key Moments in the Match
- Penalty Opportunity: With Madrid trailing 1-0, Mbappé stepped up to the spot in the 68th minute after Julen Agirrezabala fouled Antonio Rüdiger. Agirrezabala then made an impressive save, mimicking the pattern of Mbappé’s previous penalty miss—low power, predictable placement, and half-height, making it easier for the goalkeeper to anticipate and block.
- Madrid’s Fightback: Shortly after the penalty miss, Jude Bellingham leveled the score, showcasing his knack for stepping up in critical moments. However, Madrid’s defensive lapse allowed Gorka Guruzeta to score a late winner for Athletic Bilbao, capitalizing on a rare error from Federico Valverde.
Reactions to Mbappé’s Miss
- Mbappé’s Own Response: After the game, Mbappé took to Instagram to express his disappointment, acknowledging the weight of his mistake in a game where “every detail counts.” His post reflected accountability and determination to improve, signaling his awareness of the pressure and expectations at Real Madrid.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s Comments: The Madrid manager was supportive, emphasizing the need to allow Mbappé time to adapt to his new surroundings. He refrained from overanalyzing the penalty miss, noting that such incidents are part of football and expressing confidence in the forward’s ability to bounce back. Ancelotti also highlighted Mbappé’s work ethic and contribution of 10 goals so far, framing this as a temporary dip in form.
- Guti’s Analysis: Real Madrid legend Guti offered a technical critique of Mbappé’s penalty-taking approach, acknowledging his bravery in stepping up but questioning his execution. Speaking on DAZN, Guti noted that Mbappé’s stance and the positioning of his foot made it obvious for the goalkeeper to predict his shot. He also pointed out similarities to his missed penalty against Liverpool, emphasizing the need for better placement and unpredictability.
Implications for Mbappé and Real Madrid
- For Mbappé: These high-profile misses underline the immense pressure on him as a marquee signing. While his willingness to take responsibility is commendable, his ability to handle and rectify these moments will be critical in defining his Madrid career.
- For Real Madrid: The loss to Bilbao leaves Madrid with ground to cover in the La Liga title race. With Jude Bellingham continuing to shine, the team needs Mbappé to rediscover his sharpness and integrate seamlessly into the squad’s dynamic.
The Path Ahead
Mbappé’s immediate response in future matches will be closely scrutinized. Addressing technical flaws in his penalty-taking and building confidence in high-pressure situations are likely priorities. Meanwhile, Real Madrid must rally as a team, ensuring such moments don’t derail their ambitions for silverware.
Kylian Mbappé’s missed penalty against Athletic Bilbao has become a focal point in Real Madrid’s disappointing 2-1 defeat, further intensifying scrutiny of his form and his adjustment to life at the Santiago Bernabéu. The incident underscores a troubling trend, as this marks his second consecutive missed penalty following a similar mishap against Liverpool. Despite his high-profile status, Mbappé’s penalty technique and composure are now under the microscope.
Key Moments in the Match
- Penalty Opportunity: With Madrid trailing 1-0, Mbappé stepped up to the spot in the 68th minute after Julen Agirrezabala fouled Antonio Rüdiger. Agirrezabala then made an impressive save, mimicking the pattern of Mbappé’s previous penalty miss—low power, predictable placement, and half-height, making it easier for the goalkeeper to anticipate and block.
- Madrid’s Fightback: Shortly after the penalty miss, Jude Bellingham leveled the score, showcasing his knack for stepping up in critical moments. However, Madrid’s defensive lapse allowed Gorka Guruzeta to score a late winner for Athletic Bilbao, capitalizing on a rare error from Federico Valverde.
Reactions to Mbappé’s Miss
- Mbappé’s Own Response: After the game, Mbappé took to Instagram to express his disappointment, acknowledging the weight of his mistake in a game where “every detail counts.” His post reflected accountability and determination to improve, signaling his awareness of the pressure and expectations at Real Madrid.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s Comments: The Madrid manager was supportive, emphasizing the need to allow Mbappé time to adapt to his new surroundings. He refrained from overanalyzing the penalty miss, noting that such incidents are part of football and expressing confidence in the forward’s ability to bounce back. Ancelotti also highlighted Mbappé’s work ethic and contribution of 10 goals so far, framing this as a temporary dip in form.
- Guti’s Analysis: Real Madrid legend Guti offered a technical critique of Mbappé’s penalty-taking approach, acknowledging his bravery in stepping up but questioning his execution. Speaking on DAZN, Guti noted that Mbappé’s stance and the positioning of his foot made it obvious for the goalkeeper to predict his shot. He also pointed out similarities to his missed penalty against Liverpool, emphasizing the need for better placement and unpredictability.
Implications for Mbappé and Real Madrid
- For Mbappé: These high-profile misses underline the immense pressure on him as a marquee signing. While his willingness to take responsibility is commendable, his ability to handle and rectify these moments will be critical in defining his Madrid career.
- For Real Madrid: The loss to Bilbao leaves Madrid with ground to cover in the La Liga title race. With Jude Bellingham continuing to shine, the team needs Mbappé to rediscover his sharpness and integrate seamlessly into the squad’s dynamic.
The Path Ahead
Mbappé’s immediate response in future matches will be closely scrutinized. Addressing technical flaws in his penalty-taking and building confidence in high-pressure situations are likely priorities. Meanwhile, Real Madrid must rally as a team, ensuring such moments don’t derail their ambitions for silverware.
Kylian Mbappé’s missed penalty against Athletic Bilbao has become a focal point in Real Madrid’s disappointing 2-1 defeat, further intensifying scrutiny of his form and his adjustment to life at the Santiago Bernabéu. The incident underscores a troubling trend, as this marks his second consecutive missed penalty following a similar mishap against Liverpool. Despite his high-profile status, Mbappé’s penalty technique and composure are now under the microscope.
Key Moments in the Match
- Penalty Opportunity: With Madrid trailing 1-0, Mbappé stepped up to the spot in the 68th minute after Julen Agirrezabala fouled Antonio Rüdiger. Agirrezabala then made an impressive save, mimicking the pattern of Mbappé’s previous penalty miss—low power, predictable placement, and half-height, making it easier for the goalkeeper to anticipate and block.
- Madrid’s Fightback: Shortly after the penalty miss, Jude Bellingham leveled the score, showcasing his knack for stepping up in critical moments. However, Madrid’s defensive lapse allowed Gorka Guruzeta to score a late winner for Athletic Bilbao, capitalizing on a rare error from Federico Valverde.
Reactions to Mbappé’s Miss
- Mbappé’s Own Response: After the game, Mbappé took to Instagram to express his disappointment, acknowledging the weight of his mistake in a game where “every detail counts.” His post reflected accountability and determination to improve, signaling his awareness of the pressure and expectations at Real Madrid.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s Comments: The Madrid manager was supportive, emphasizing the need to allow Mbappé time to adapt to his new surroundings. He refrained from overanalyzing the penalty miss, noting that such incidents are part of football and expressing confidence in the forward’s ability to bounce back. Ancelotti also highlighted Mbappé’s work ethic and contribution of 10 goals so far, framing this as a temporary dip in form.
- Guti’s Analysis: Real Madrid legend Guti offered a technical critique of Mbappé’s penalty-taking approach, acknowledging his bravery in stepping up but questioning his execution. Speaking on DAZN, Guti noted that Mbappé’s stance and the positioning of his foot made it obvious for the goalkeeper to predict his shot. He also pointed out similarities to his missed penalty against Liverpool, emphasizing the need for better placement and unpredictability.
Implications for Mbappé and Real Madrid
- For Mbappé: These high-profile misses underline the immense pressure on him as a marquee signing. While his willingness to take responsibility is commendable, his ability to handle and rectify these moments will be critical in defining his Madrid career.
- For Real Madrid: The loss to Bilbao leaves Madrid with ground to cover in the La Liga title race. With Jude Bellingham continuing to shine, the team needs Mbappé to rediscover his sharpness and integrate seamlessly into the squad’s dynamic.
The Path Ahead
Mbappé’s immediate response in future matches will be closely scrutinized. Addressing technical flaws in his penalty-taking and building confidence in high-pressure situations are likely priorities. Meanwhile, Real Madrid must rally as a team, ensuring such moments don’t derail their ambitions for silverware.