Carlo Ancelotti said that Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Leganes was a result of a positional switch between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
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Mbappe, Vinicius positional switch led to Madrid victory
Mbappe switched with Vinicius by starting on the left side of the attack.
The France international put Madrid ahead in the 43rd minute with a close-range pass from Vinicius, before Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham added two more goals in the second half.
Speaking after the game, Ancelotti explained the reasoning behind the switch, saying that both forwards worked well together.
“It was a good game from beginning to end,” Ancelotti said in his postmatch 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.”
Mbappe finally puts an end to his struggle
It was Mbappe’s first goal for Madrid in five games, bringing his tally to seven goals in 12 league appearances.
The 26-year-old had faced criticism for his performances in recent weeks.
“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.”
Despite breaking the slump, Mbappe insisted that he is willing to start in different positions to help Madrid win games.
“I started in a different position than in recent games,” Mbappe said. “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.”
Madrid will face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday, needing a win after losing twice in their first four Champions League games.
