“That’s a bad question.”

It was an evening of two faces for Kylian Mbappé on the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium. On the pitch, the French ahead put in a type of performances that justifies the years of persecution within the places of work: 4 objectives, an specific comeback and a show of punch that rescued Actual Madrid from the abyss.

Nevertheless, the day didn’t finish with smiles within the locker room tunnel, however with a critical gesture and a dialectical crossing that confirmed the strain that the workforce breathes, regardless of the victory, at this stage beneath the orders of Xabi Alonso.

The match in opposition to Olympiacos was introduced as an early closing after a streak of three video games with out successful, a setback that had put the deal with the brand new technical mission. The beginning couldn’t have been worse: a objective from Chiquinho put the locals forward and woke up the latest ghosts.

However then the deadliest model of ‘9’ appeared. In an interval of simply seven minutes within the first half, Mbappé dynamited the sport. Three consecutive blows (minutes 22, 24 and 29) turned the rating round earlier than the break, silencing the Greek hell.

Already within the second half, he accomplished his explicit poker to seal a closing and suffered 3-4, the place the white protection as soon as once more confirmed seams.

Xabi Alonso, who arrived on the assembly questioned by his environment however agency in his speech, breathed a sigh of aid. Within the press room, the participant from Tolosa valued the response capability of his squad greater than particular person brilliance, though he acknowledged the significance of his stars in essential moments.

“The workforce has proven calmness, confidence and maturity to not go loopy and now we have been in a position to flip the consequence round,” stated the coach, visibly glad with breaking the damaging dynamic and including three important factors for classification on this new part of the Champions League.

Alonso, who within the earlier sport had requested for “respect for the gamers” within the face of rumors of unrest within the locker room, discovered the reply he wanted on the sector.

Nevertheless, the calm didn’t final lengthy. Within the blended zone, when an exultant Mbappé was anticipated, the Frenchman confirmed his most combative profile in entrance of the microphones.

The spark jumped when a journalist questioned him in regards to the existence of a supposed “Mbappé-dependency” within the workforce, insinuating that Actual Madrid was sustained solely by its scoring success within the face of collective fragility.

Removed from accepting the poisoned reward, the striker coldly interrupted the reporter: “I do not need to disrespect you, however I believe that is a nasty query.” The attacker argued that his function is solely to attain objectives, simply as his teammates’ function is to defend or create play, rejecting the narrative that he acts as an remoted savior of the system.

“I can say that without the other players we did not win the game,” he said, remembering previous matches where his goals were not enough to avoid defeat.

Mbappé took advantage of the speaker not only to protect himself from media pressure, but to close ranks around his coach and the group.

“We have to protect each other,” he said, launching a message of unity that contrasts with the external noise. His poker in Athens helped win the match, but his response in the mixed zone made it clear that Real Madrid’s battle this season is played both on and off the field.