Mbappe and Vinicius overlap leaves Real Madrid facing a familiar tactical problem

Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid has renewed concerns over the lack of space for Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to operate effectively on the left side of the attack.

The loss at the Wanda Metropolitano was more than a painful derby setback, as Real Madrid once again struggled to create danger through their two leading attacking players. Both Mbappe and Vinicius had difficulty finding room, with their positioning contributing to an unusually subdued performance.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the players’ movement during the derby highlighted the continuing issue. Vinicius operated mainly from the left wing but repeatedly moved inside, while Mbappe started as a central striker in Jose Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1 formation before also drifting towards the left.

That led to both players occupying broadly the same areas of the pitch. The result, Marca reported, was that “the presence of both players in almost identical spaces reduced their effectiveness and weakened Real Madrid’s attacking variety”.

The problem has extended throughout Mbappe’s time at Real Madrid rather than being limited to one match. On several occasions, it has appeared that one player’s best performances have come at the expense of the other’s influence.

Marca said the same pattern had emerged under four different managers: Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, Arbeloa and Jose Mourinho. None has yet found a definitive solution to make the most of both players’ qualities at the same time.

Real Madrid’s attacking numbers

Real Madrid’s problems were also reflected in their attacking statistics against Atletico Madrid.

They finished the match with an expected-goals figure of just 0.32, their lowest total in a La Liga match since February 2015, according to Opta data.

Mbappe managed only one shot during the game, while Vinicius attempted two. Mourinho replaced Vinicius in the 54th minute, underlining the difficulties faced by both forwards during the derby.

The situation has become more sensitive with renewed discussion about Mbappe’s role for France. Zinedine Zidane, the national team’s new manager, has indicated that he admires the Real Madrid forward’s qualities when he plays on the left wing.

French reports, including one from RMC Sport, say Zidane has already spoken to Mbappe and told him he intends to use him in that position for France.

Real Madrid therefore face a recurring tactical question: how can Mbappe and Vinicius be accommodated without one limiting the other’s impact?

Following the derby defeat and the team’s poor attacking output, responsibility now rests with Mourinho to develop a system that gives both players freedom of movement without allowing that freedom to cancel out one of their contributions.