Mbappe under suspicion after derby: his level of intensity is questioned

Real Madrid won the derby against Atletico to stay alive in the fight for the La Liga title with Barcelona, who are four points clear at the top of the table with nine games remaining. Los Blancos won 3-2 despite having to play the final stages of the match with 10 players after Fede Valverde's controversial straight red card for a kick on Baena. After that incident, Real Madrid ended up defending the result. In this context of survival, some missed a greater defensive commitment from Kylian Mbappe, who had already been put under suspicion before, since Arbeloa's lineup was announced.

"Mbappe's situation seems to me to be a disgrace, a shamelessness. I saw him the other day against City and he looked perfect, but Madrid insisted on sending the images of the training sessions during the week and it was a spectacle: he dribbled past six, scored goals in the top corner, scored 17 goals dribbling at speed. I said well, at least he goes with France, which is what upset me, but he's going to play as a starter. And today he is a substitute in the derby, and I'm convinced that it is he who chooses it, but convinced one hundred percent. And the people who have gotten so much with Vinicius wash their mouths before talking about a player when there is another who chooses the games," said Javier Tinto, Radio MARCA talk show host.

"Arbeloa's Real Madrid is different. They run, they fight, they know what they're playing at. It's a committed, solidary team. It's a pity that they ended up with nine players, without Valverde... and without Mbappe," said Josep Pedrerol at the beginning of El Chiringuito, about Mbappe's defensive intensity when Real Madrid was playing with one less player after Valverde's red card to try to hold on to the 3-2 scoreline.

A sharp criticism, considering that Mbappe has not yet reached the ideal competitive rhythm after a long injury. In a press conference, Arbeloa explained what his plan was with Mbappe against Atletico. "After three weeks out, the normal thing is to go in progression," he said.