Mbappe Shines as Real Madrid Triumphs Over Olympiacos in Thrilling Champions League Encounter

omidbasir- Real Madrid’s recent visit to Greece delivered one of the most thrilling matches of the Champions League season, showcasing Kylian Mbappe’s transformative impact. Olympiacos initially took the lead with a goal from Chiquinho, igniting excitement among their home supporters, who had previously jested at Mbappe’s expense in broken French. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when the Madrid star responded with an electrifying display of scoring prowess.

Mbappe equalized the match in the 22nd minute with a composed finish after a one-on-one opportunity. Mere moments later, he capitalized on a cross from Arda Guler, heading the ball powerfully into the net. By the 30-minute mark, he had completed a stunning hat-trick, netting a goal from a well-placed pass by Eduardo Camavinga.

The forward continued his scoring spree, adding a fourth goal in the 59th minute, bringing his total to 22 goals this season, with nine achieved in just five Champions League appearances. This marked his second hat-trick of the current campaign and his fifth overall in the competition, placing him closer to surpassing Raul in the all-time scoring rankings. Despite Olympiacos’ persistent efforts, Mbappe’s performance was simply overpowering. After the match, Mbappe humorously addressed the taunts from the Olympiacos supporters during his warm-up, stating, “Oh yes, yes, yes, they were speaking French, but bad French, you know. The accent was bad, but that’s life. It didn’t matter; I was focused on my team and our performance.”

Discussion then shifted to whether Real Madrid relies excessively on his contributions, a claim Mbappe firmly refuted. “I find that absurd,” he asserted. “It’s not disrespectful; it’s just the wrong question. Everyone has their role in the team, and mine is to score goals. I wouldn’t claim we couldn’t win matches without the other players. Every team has specific roles, and I focus on mine without overthinking dependencies. That’s a topic for journalists or outsiders.”

In addition to his individual brilliance, attention was drawn to Mbappe’s relationship with manager Xabi Alonso, especially in light of a recent three-game winless streak. He stated candidly, “I think we need to tell the truth: we are very close. Life isn’t always straightforward, and changes in projects or coaches can lead to evolution. However, I don’t believe everything that has occurred was warranted. We, the players, need to support each other and the coaching staff… and remain united.”

Mbappe also reinforced the notion that the team fully supports Alonso: “You can see it. Tonight, we demonstrated eagerness and commitment. We’ve always been loyal to him. Despite our recent challenges, we are here in the Champions League to win.”

These remarks come at a crucial time, as reports suggest a division within the Madrid dressing room. Six players, including Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde, were reported to be dissatisfied with Alonso’s tactical decisions, particularly affecting Vinicius, who felt sidelined after being frequently rotated.

Conversely, key figures including Mbappe, Thibaut Courtois, and others have been noted as staunch supporters of Alonso, forming a united front behind the coach’s leadership.

This victory ended Madrid’s three-match winless streak and reinvigorated their season. With Mbappe in top form, Los Blancos now turn their focus to the crucial La Liga match against Girona, aiming to maintain their position at the top of the table. What began with taunts and tension culminated in a triumphant performance, with Mbappe smiling and reaffirming Real Madrid’s determination to compete on all fronts.