Real Madrid click after Mbappé, Vinícius position swap

Carlo Ancelotti praised Kylian Mbappé’s performance after the Real Madrid forward scored from a new, left-sided role in their 3-0 LaLiga win at Leganés on Sunday.

Mbappé put Madrid ahead in the 43rd minute at Butarque, converting Vinícius Júnior’s pass from close range, before Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham secured the three points in the second half.

It was Mbappé’s first Madrid goal in five games, having switched positions with Vinícius, starting on the left-hand side of the attack.

“It was a good game from beginning to end,” Ancelotti said in his post-match news conference. “The team was solid and focused. We changed the positions of the forwards a bit, with Mbappé on the outside, and he did well.

“Vinicius did well too, on the inside. We opened the scoring, and after that the team controlled the game well.”

Mbappé has now scored seven goals in 12 league appearances for Madrid, but had faced criticism for his performances in recent weeks, going four matches without finding the net.

“I started in a different position than in recent games,” Mbappé said after the match. “But as I said the first day I arrived here, I can play in different positions. Today was different, and maybe in the next game it will be different again. I’m ready to help the team.

“It’s the story of my career. I can play on the right, on the left, as a front two, I don’t mind. What I want to do is play well, help the team and score goals.”

Ancelotti gave his reasons for the switch after the game, while adding the best part about the setup and the result was the growing partnership between his two superstars.

“I think [Mbappé] is more used to playing [on the left],” Ancelotti said. “Today that was best for the team, and for him too. On the outside it’s more tiring, and Vini had returned [from international duty] on Thursday.

“Mbappé was fresher than Vinicius. He did very well with the goal, after a fantastic assist from Vini. Little by little the two are getting better.”

With right-backs Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez both missing through injury, Ancelotti picked midfielder Valverde in the role, and suggested he could play there against Liverpool in the Champions League this week.

Madrid go into the game at Anfield on Wednesday in need of a win, after losing twice in four Champions League games so far.

“Valverde is a fantastic full-back,” Ancelotti said. “After Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, he’s the best in the world! The problem is choosing where he’s best for the team. But he’s incredibly versatile. We’ll see if Lucas and [Aurelien] Tchouameni recover for Wednesday, and then we’ll see.”