How Mbappe & Bellingham sparked Real Madrid’s resurgence

Real Madrid is back, according to Europe’s cautionary tale.

And back as the stadium-filling rock legends we know them to be, as opposed to the enthusiastic, discordant high school band they have been playing for a long time.

With a chance of making it to the top eight, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have already confirmed at least one place in the play-offs ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League league finale against Brest.

Since being destroyed 5-2 by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, Real have won their past four matches, scoring 17 goals, and are top of La Liga by four points.

Numerous criticisms were directed at manager Ancelotti after the campaign’s indifferent start, which included some inconsistent play and questions about Kylian Mbappe’s dynamic pairing.

“Ancelotti is leaving the club in the summer”, “Mbappe can’t settle”, “Vinicius Jr is unsettled” – people were asking what was going on at Real.

But the demise of the European giants has been exaggerated.

Ancelotti wasted no time in quickly denying the news when one Spanish radio announced that this would be his last season.

Despite having a year and a half to go on his contract with the club, Ancelotti will have to make his decision when he leaves. He has the right to, after four years and 11 titles, including two Champions League victories.

It also explains his smugness when he told the media that their current league performances suggested the critics were mistaken despite his claim that they were no good at all.

No one is more qualified than him to determine when the right moment is right to leave the club, and that will be when he believes he is insufficiently located to ensure that the club’s trophy collection continues.

If things go well with Bayer Leverkusen, Florentino Perez will have time to get ready for a newcomer, most likely Xabi Alonso, who always believed Real or Liverpool would be his next options.

But not just yet.

Real, especially if they were able to overcome the inherent laziness that frequently comes with a Champions League and La Liga winning campaign, has always been a man’s dream come true.

They have nine thumped past them in their two encounters against Barcelona, and they haven’t yet defeated any of the top clubs this season, despite losing to AC Milan and Liverpool in the Champions League.

Injuries, particularly in defence to the likes of Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, did not help matters at the start.

The main issues with Ancelotti’s work were the absence of a midfielder that could control the game and the unwillingness of any of the elite’s front three to institute a shift tracking back. And Jude Bellingham had no idea where to run to cover a lot of ground.

Although Dani Ceballos’ displays of renewed vigor in midfield have helped, it is their displays of attack that have truly changed Real’s fortunes.

Vinicius Jr. seems to be the center of everyone’s attention, whether or not they are playing.

The Brazil attacker has been in and out of the line-up recently, either through injury or suspension, and is currently the subject of a colossal offer from Saudi Arabia.

Due to a compliant Madrid media that will continue to focus on the subject as long as it feels appropriate for them, the story has been given “gain legs” by the Real decision makers who have control over the agenda.

The 24-year-old’s sale would significantly help pay for the stadium’s debt, in addition to a number of other financial benefits.

Real would undoubtedly not be afraid to sell the player, but the timing must be right.

There has been much discussion about Vinicius’ confrontational stance against opposition supporters.

He made a hand gesture to suggest that the La Liga strugglers are going to be relegated in response to the chants of “tonto” (stupid) from Valencia supporters earlier this month.

No player I have seen in his defense has experienced the level of abuse he is subjected to, with fans frequently expressing racism.

A lengthy wait is required for anyone who anticipates Vinicius to bow his head and open his mouth.

He thinks the abuse he endures is fundamentally racist and unjust, and he is not prepared to put up with it.

On the field, Vinicius ‘ developing understanding with Mbappe is another of the reasons for Real’s improved performances.

The Frenchman’s start to his Madrid career was difficult, but it is becoming clear that Real’s success will depend on Mbappe becoming the primary goal- and leader.

Mbappe was always too intelligent, too talented and too precocious to fail, or buckle under the pressure, at Real Madrid.

He was conscious of not invading Vinicius’ space, both on and off the pitch, even going so far as to accept that penalties would be rotated, and he initially saw playing as a number nine as being more static than he does now.

The team adapts to him wherever he is on the field these days. He has also come to terms with the fact that he can be deadly when playing number nine, running in behind and finishing clinically.

Since missing a penalty against Athletic Club on 4 December, he has scored 12 goals in as many matches, including his first hat-trick.

Brazilian forward Rodrygo, who has gone two and a half months without scoring in his previous nine games, is also in excellent form.

A new-found confidence has been adduced in his doubts and feelings that he was not valued or appreciated at the club.

Since then, any regrets he might have had to make have vanished, not the least of which is because Ancelotti has confirmed to him that he is a big match player and an automatic starter.

Then, we have Bellingham, whose stock continues to rise.

Despite having niggling injuries, the England player is undoubtedly the catalyst for the Real machine’s current upheaval.

He is clearly enjoying himself, whether he is assisting, scoring, or driving forward with the ball or creating from the edge of the box with his back to goal.