For the first time since his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid in 2024, Kylian Mbappe faced off against his former team during the Club World Cup semifinals. Unfortunately, the match didn’t go well, as Real Madrid suffered a 4-0 defeat against PSG. Mbappe, returning from an illness, had only 27 touches throughout the match, ultimately managing just four shots.

A Need for Defensive Restructuring

In the previous successful matches of the tournament, Real Madrid deployed a hybrid 4-4-2 diamond formation or a 3-5-2 setup, which effectively showcased their strengths. However, against PSG, the strategy faltered under a traditional back four formation, showing significant gaps in defense. With the return of key players like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, there is hope that the club can reclaim its La Liga title this year.

Antonio Rudiger’s weaknesses were evident, yet the presence of substitutes like Dean Huijsen, Raul Asencio, and Aurelien Tchouameni offers potential for change. With adjustments from manager Xabi Alonso, there is a chance for Mbappe to find more space to operate and improve his 43-goal tally from last season, potentially breaking the 50-goal mark in the current campaign.