The player who disrupts Real’s defensive balance pointed out after Arsenal: “He’s stingy”

The aftermath of a significant defeat in the UEFA Champions League, particularly one as comprehensive as Real Madrid’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the first leg of their quarter-final tie, inevitably leads to intense scrutiny and analysis. Every aspect of the performance, from tactical decisions to individual player contributions, comes under the microscope as pundits and fans alike attempt to dissect the reasons behind such a heavy setback. In the case of Real Madrid’s humbling at the hands of the Gunners, the focus of much of the post-match discussion has centered on the contributions, or perceived lack thereof, from some of their key players, including the highly scrutinized French superstar, Kylian Mbappé.

Just hours after the final whistle blew on that chastening Tuesday night in London, the performance of several Real Madrid players, Mbappé among them, became a focal point of debate, particularly within the French footballing fraternity. Despite his high-profile move to the Santiago Bernabéu the previous summer, Kylian Mbappé has remained a figure who elicits divided opinions, even in his native France. His transition to the iconic white jersey of Real Madrid has been the subject of constant scrutiny and analysis, with critics seemingly ever-ready to seize upon any opportunity to highlight perceived shortcomings. The recent emphatic defeat against Arsenal, in the crucial first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, has unfortunately provided a new and fertile ground for those who have been critical of the Madrid number 9.

This time around, it was former French international player and now prominent football consultant, Jérôme Rothen, who did not hold back in his assessment of Mbappé’s role in Real Madrid’s disappointing performance. During a recent media appearance on the popular French sports channel RMC Sport, Rothen displayed a notable vehemence as he directly attributed a significant share of the responsibility for Real Madrid’s heavy defeat to the performance and playing style of Kylian Mbappé. “Another disappointment, and there, Mbappé is probably responsible; It’s his style and the way he plays,” Rothen stated unequivocally, laying the blame squarely at the feet of the French forward.

Rothen went on to deliver a particularly stinging critique of Kylian Mbappé’s defensive contribution to the team. In no uncertain terms, the former player accused Mbappé of being “stingy in defense,” suggesting a lack of willingness or ability to consistently contribute to the team’s efforts when not in possession of the ball. “Mbappé is stingy in defense, he is not a player who keeps a tactical concentration to protect the midfield,” Rothen asserted, implying that Mbappé’s perceived lack of defensive work rate had a detrimental impact on Real Madrid’s overall defensive balance and contributed to their midfield being overrun by Arsenal.

According to Jérôme Rothen’s analysis, Kylian Mbappé’s attitude and application on the pitch during the match against Arsenal directly contributed to Real Madrid’s comprehensive defeat at the hands of the Gunners. Rothen did not hesitate to recall the pre-match concerns that had been raised by various footballing figures, notably including former Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri, who had publicly expressed doubts about Real Madrid’s capacity to effectively manage their midfield against a dynamic and well-organized Arsenal side. Rothen also extended his criticism to the tactical choices made by Real Madrid’s experienced manager, Carlo Ancelotti, stating, “In seeing Ancelotti’s system yesterday (Tuesday), that’s what surprised me,” suggesting that the tactical setup employed by the Italian coach may have also played a role in Real Madrid’s struggles.

However, Kylian Mbappé was not the sole recipient of Jérôme Rothen’s sharp criticism following Real Madrid’s humbling defeat. With his characteristic outspokenness, Rothen also turned his attention to veteran Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, openly questioning Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to include the aging but still immensely talented playmaker in the starting lineup for a match of such significant importance and high intensity. “When you put Modric, who is brilliant with the ball at his feet but struggles to run, and only Camavinga…” Rothen remarked, suggesting that the midfield pairing lacked the necessary dynamism and defensive resilience to cope with Arsenal’s energetic approach.

It is worth noting, however, that Jérôme Rothen’s criticism of Luka Modric appeared to overlook the fact that Carlo Ancelotti was somewhat limited in his midfield options for the match against Arsenal due to the absence of two key players. French international Aurélien Tchouaméni was unavailable due to suspension, while Spanish midfielder Dani Ceballos was sidelined through injury. These absences undoubtedly constrained Ancelotti’s ability to select his preferred midfield combination and forced him to rely on the available players, including the experienced Luka Modric.

Interestingly, Luka Modric also faced criticism from Jérôme Rothen for a perceived lack of defensive implication during the match, with the former French international employing very similar terms to those he used when criticizing Kylian Mbappé. Rothen seems to have identified these two prominent figures, Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modric, as the primary scapegoats for Real Madrid’s disappointing and comprehensive defeat at the Emirates Stadium, perhaps overlooking other contributing factors or the overall performance of the team as a collective unit.

Jérôme Rothen’s pointed and incisive remarks regarding Kylian Mbappé’s and Luka Modric’s contributions to Real Madrid’s defeat did not take long to elicit responses from other prominent figures within the French footballing landscape. Emmanuel Petit, a former teammate of Rothen in the French national team and a respected pundit in his own right, stepped forward to offer a stern and direct rebuttal to Rothen’s criticisms. “As soon as someone doesn’t correspond to your criteria, you reject them. No, Mbappé is not responsible for the disaster of Real Madrid. I have the impression that you want to see them fall. As soon as you have the opportunity, you hit them,” Petit retorted forcefully, suggesting that Rothen’s analysis was perhaps driven by personal bias rather than objective assessment.

Emmanuel Petit’s strong defense of Kylian Mbappé and his criticism of Jérôme Rothen’s approach highlighted what appears to be more of a personal vendetta or a pre-existing negative sentiment from Rothen towards Mbappé rather than a purely objective analysis of the player’s performance in the context of the team’s overall struggles. Petit pointed out that Rothen’s criticisms of both Mbappé and Real Madrid often seem disconnected from the reality of their actual performances and achievements, suggesting an underlying agenda in his commentary.

This heated exchange between two former French international teammates underscores the immense expectations and intense scrutiny that perpetually surround a player of Kylian Mbappé’s caliber. It also highlights the palpable frustration that exists regarding Real Madrid’s tactical approach and overall performance, particularly in high-stakes matches such as this Champions League quarter-final. While Jérôme Rothen’s criticisms may reflect a genuine disappointment with Real Madrid’s showing against Arsenal, they also reveal a tendency to disproportionately target iconic and high-profile figures like Mbappé and the veteran Modric in the aftermath of a defeat.

As Real Madrid now look ahead to the crucial return leg against Arsenal at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the Spanish giants find themselves in a precarious position, needing to overturn a significant three-goal deficit to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Carlo Ancelotti and his experienced squad will be under immense pressure to deliver a vastly improved performance on home soil and to prove to their critics, both in France and Spain, that they are still capable of competing at the highest level of European football and that they possess the resilience and tactical flexibility to overcome such a significant setback. The response of players like Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modric in the second leg will be particularly closely watched, as they will undoubtedly be eager to silence their doubters and play a key role in any potential comeback for the reigning European champions.