WORST player on the pitch: Kylian Mbappe’s Clasico nightmare

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 27 Oct 2024 16:50 CDT
• 2 min read

Kylian Mbappe experienced El Clasico for the first time since joining Real Madrid in the summer, and it’s fair to say that it was a match he would love to forget.

Signed on a free transfer from PSG, Mbappe’s performances have been subject to major scrutiny since the deal was struck.

At times the Frenchman has received harsh criticism, yet his display during the clash with Barcelona, which Real Madrid lost 4-0, will only invite more pressure onto his shoulders. He was dreadful.

STATS

Kylian Mbappé

F (C)

Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé

F (C)

Real Madrid

La Liga

2024/25

• 9

  Games

• 6

  Goals

• 1

  Assists

View all stats

FootballCritic scored his performance at 5.1, the lowest of anyone who took to the field as Los Blancos suffered a crushing defeat.

The standout statistic of Mbappe’s match was his eight offsides. This is the highest number that Opta have on record for a player in one of the Big Five leagues. Although he put the ball in the net during the first half, it was a strike disallowed for straying beyond Barca’s well-drilled defence.

Indeed, he struggled to get any change out of the Barca defenders throughout, despite possessing a clear advantage in terms of his pace and boasting an excellent record against the Catalans while playing with PSG.

Mbappe did manage three shots on target and he also completed all of his passes, but on the other hand he had just a 25% dribble success rate and touched the ball a disappointing 27 times.

Spanish media reacts to Mbappe’s Clasico debut

AS described the striker as being “caught in Barcelona’s web”.

Marca was more scathing of the team. “The play and attitude have left much to be desired in the first three months of competition,” it points out, not singling out Mbappe at this point.

It does add, however: “[Real Madrid] missed a golden opportunity to destroy Barcelona. Mbappe was caught offside and sent a number of one-on-one attempts against Inaki Pena into limbo.

“The Frenchman, one of the most powerful and fastest strikers in the world, doesn't need to be so close to the line, but he was caught offside again and again, seeing a great goal disallowed in the first half.

“In the second half he adjusted better at the start, but he was not up to standard. His mistake against Pena in the 64th minute aborted any attempt at a comeback. And after that mistake... he was once again offside. Although it may seem unbelievable, he is in the sights of the Bernabéu, which does not forgive anyone. Just ask Zidane or Cristiano...”