He is in form and his connection with Vinicius is excellent, says Madrid manager
Xabi Alonso has praised Kylian Mbappe for his outstanding brace and assist to power Real Madrid to a first league victory in four games against Athletic Club on Wednesday.
Mbappe set Madrid on their way inside seven minutes at San Mames with a sumptuous solo goal. He later nodded a cross back across goal for Eduardo Camavinga to double the lead before sealing the result himself in the second half with a long-range effort.
The 3-0 victory was Madrid’s first league win since they beat Valencia 4-0 in early November. It moved them to within a point of leaders Barcelona and eased some of the pressure on Alonso.
“Kylian is in great form,” Alonso said. “He scored two goals again, two fantastic goals, and then there’s the movement, the connection with Vinicius was excellent.
“The team came out from the first minute to play, to win the game with good concentration, good intensity and a very good rhythm. We dominated the game in that first half. In the second half, we didn’t have as much possession, but we maintained control.”
After the excellent victory against Valencia at the start of November’s run of fixtures, Madrid then drew three successive league games to concede their lead at the top and now trail behind Barcelona.
Mbappe’s brace took him to 25 goals in 22 appearances for Madrid this season, an incredible run of form that follows the 44 he scored in his debut campaign last term to secure the European golden boot and the Pichichi Trophy.
The numbers suggest Alonso’s side are heavily dependent on the Frenchman, although he himself has rejected this claim. Madrid return to action on Sunday against Celta Vigo.
