Real Madrid’s Tactics: Have They Changed with Kylian Mbappé?
Has Real Madrid changed with Kylian Mbappé’s arrival?
At first glance, you’d expect one of the world’s best forwards to reshape the team’s tactics. But as our analysis reveals, Carlo Ancelotti has remained firm in his approach - leaving Mbappé to be the one adapting to Madrid, not the other way around.
What we can see here is that Real Madrid appears to be pressing and transitioning slightly more aggressively this season. With Mbappé, they’re winning the ball higher up the pitch more often resulting in a slightly higher share of xG coming from within eight seconds of a ball recovery. The dip in passes into the box could still indicate a minor shift in approach - rather than sending hopeful deliveries into the penalty area, they now look to use Mbappé’s speed by finding him earlier behind the opposition’s defensive line.
Average analysis of Real Madrid 23/24 in La Liga. (Without Kylian Mbappé)
Average analysis of Real Madrid 24/25 so far in La Liga. (With Kylian Mbappé)
Real Madrid’s Passing Network Remains Unchanged
Despite Kylian Mbappé’s arrival, Real Madrid’s build-up play has remained consistent across both seasons. Their buildup comes from behind and plays through a very dense midfield before progressing through the midfield.
In 2023/24, Toni Kroos played a key role in linking defense to offense, but in 2024/25, Aurélien Tchouaméni stepped into that role. Still, the tactical approach remains the same: Madrid continues to build through central midfielders like Valverde, Modrić, and Bellingham rather than shifting play to the flanks or adapting their structure for Mbappé.
This further reinforces the idea that Ancelotti’s system hasn’t changed for Mbappé - he has had to adapt to it instead.
Real Madrid’s passing network in La Liga 23/24. (Without Kylian Mbappé)
Real Madrid’s passing network in La Liga 24/25 so far. (With Kylian Mbappé)
From Kroos’ Control to the Vinícius-Mbappé Connection
In the 2023/24 season, Toni Kroos was Real Madrid’s primary source of threat (xT) creation, orchestrating attacks with his precise passing and vision. Most of the threat came through the central midfielders - Kroos, Valverde, and Modrić - who would supply the ball to Vinícius Jr. However, the attacking moves often stalled there, relying heavily on Vinícius individual brilliance to break through defenses.
In 2024/25, the system remains the same, the key difference is who is generating the most attacking danger. Kylian Mbappé has taken over as Madrid’s biggest threat creator, but the ball movement for threat creation remains unchanged - play still flows through the midfield before reaching Vinícius or Mbappé. The crucial difference? Now, Vinícius and Mbappé have developed a dynamic partnership, combining their speed and movement to break defensive lines together.
Where Vinicíus used to be isolated in creativity, he is now joined and enhanced by his new partner.
Threat creation xT (Expected threat) in La Liga 23/24.
Threat creation - xT (Expected threat) in La Liga 24/25.
Mbappé in La Liga:
His First vs. Latest 3 Months
Kylian Mbappé’s evolution at Real Madrid is strikingly visible when comparing his performance in his first three months in La Liga with his most recent three months, after having time to adapt. Initially, skeptics questioned how he would integrate into Carlo Ancelotti’s system. However, the data - presented in these two spider diagrams - tells a clear story.
The First Three Months
During his initial period at Real Madrid, Mbappé’s xT PG showed promise but remained moderate. This metric highlighted that while he was beginning to integrate into Ancelotti’s system, he was still in a transition phase - finding his rhythm and establishing his threat on the pitch.
In his initial phase, Mbappé’s metrics showed promise but he was still in an adaptation process.
xT PG Levels: The early xT PG figures indicate that Mbappé was generating threat, but his output was just starting to build momentum.
Kylian Mbappé spider diagram of his first three months in La Liga.
The Latest Three Months
Kylian Mbappé spider diagram of his latest three months in La Liga.
Fast forward to the recent period, and Mbappé’s spider diagram has expanded significantly:
Increased Offensive Output: There is a clear boost in goals per game and non-penalty xG, demonstrating his improved finishing and chance creation.
Improved Creativity and Dribbling: The expansion in shot assists underscores his elevated role in orchestrating attacks.
Significant Increase in xT PG: He is now not only receiving the ball in more dangerous areas but is also driving the threat forward more effectively.
Real Madrid Through the Lens of Effective Time
In the 2023/24 season, Real Madrid and Getafe both played 38 games, but a quick glance at the table reveals a significant difference in the total minutes they accumulated under effective time measurements:
Real Madrid: 2,368 minutes
Getafe: 1,914 minutes
Despite playing the same number of fixtures, Real Madrid’s games included 457 more effective minutes - the equivalent of about seven additional hours of actual in-play action.
Note: Real Madrid had 155 minutes more effective playing time then FC Barcelona.
With an additional effective minutes, Real Madrid’s opportunity to create scoring chances was significantly higher.
Table of 23/24 season in La Liga. (Filtered on effective time)
2024/25 Season
If we measure on Real Madrid vs Getafe again, both have played 25 games, but a quick glance at the table reveals a significant difference in the total minutes they accumulated under effective time measurements:
Real Madrid: 1,588 minutes
Getafe: 1,139 minutes
Despite playing the same number of fixtures, Real Madrid’s games included 449 more effective minutes - the equivalent of about seven additional hours of actual in-play action.
Note: Real Madrid has had 173 minutes of more effective playing time so far then FC Barcelona.
Table of 24/25 season in La Liga, after 25 games played. (Filtered on effective time)
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