INTERNAL PRESSURE: KYLIAN MBAPPE URGES MADRID TO SHIELD ALONSO
Kylian Mbappe's 4-goal haul leads Real Madrid to a 4-3 win over Olympiakos as he publicly backs under-fire coach Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe wants his teammates to support each other and their coach, Xabi Alonso. Alonso has been feeling the heat lately, with some questioning his relationship with the team.
Mbappe was on fire Wednesday night, scoring all four goals in their 4-3 victory over Olympiakos. This win ended a three-game losing streak, and Mbappe told Movistar+ that it was a major boost for the team’s spirit. Marca reported his comments.
The aim is to win and boost the group's confidence—the players, coach, staff, everyone. Right now, I think it’s about making sure the Madrid fans see that we’re united and moving forward together. The road might get bumpy, but we're all staying on board. We’re united to win.”
‘My job is to score goals’ – Kylian Mbappe
Vinicius Junior had a great game, maybe his best this season. The Brazilian dished out two assists to Mbappe and played off perfect passes from Arda Guler.
I'm really happy. It’s always great to score. My teammates are giving me great passes. I’m lucky to be playing with this team and these teammates. I’m always trying to score. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, but I'm always looking to help.
Everyone has a job on the team. Mine, as always, is to score... I can say that we don’t win without each other. Every team has players who have roles to play, and mine is to score. That's it. I don’t think we are reliant on any one person. I think that's something the media or people outside the team say.
Real Madrid’s Defence
When asked about Real Madrid’s defence, which was a sore point for Alonso, Mbappe chose to keep it positive.
We need to look back at the match. We had it under control and made changes. We need to keep doing that, focus on the good things, and fix the rest.
‘We need to protect each other’ – Mbappe
Alonso was impressed by Mbappe after the match, not just for the goals, but for his character. Mbappe seems eager to support his coach.
I think the team is doing fine. Of course, there's room to improve. When you play for Real Madrid, people are always going to talk. We players, need to support each other and the coach. We have to be united. The Madrid fans are behind us. We have a lot to play for this season, and we need to give it everything for this club.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
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