Mbappe finished? 3 talking points from this week’s UEFA Champions League action

Mbappe finished? 3 talking points from this week’s UEFA Champions League action

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 12:07 - 28.11.2024

Kylian Mbappe's struggles continued as Liverpool defeated a lackluster Real Madrid at Anfield and other talking points.

The new UEFA Champions League format has really provided excitement, entertainment and surprises in equal measure.

In any other season, the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG would be cruising into the second round, but not this time.

Defending champions, Real Madrid suffered a catastrophic defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, and that's not even the most exciting thing to happen in the Champions League this week.

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1. Is Kylian Mbappe finished?

Kylian Mbappe's performance against Liverpool, and indeed, for most of the season has left a lot to be desired.

Kylian Mbappe has struggled since his move to Real Madrid.
Kylian Mbappe has struggled since his move to Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old arrived from PSG to fireworks as Real Madrid fans fantasized about years of total domination, but the reality is so much farther.

The 25-year-old has scored two goals in his last nine matches and missed a penalty in Real Madrid’s damaging 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Wednesday.

Mbappe is clearly struggling to adapt to Madrid’s system and there is a growing sense among Los Blancos fans that this may have been a mistake.

What next for Manchester City?

Pep Guardiola's men have now failed to win in six matches, the club's longest run since 2011, and Pep Guardiola's longest winless streak in his managerial career.

Their collapse against Feyenoord, surrendering a three-goal lead to draw 3-3, was the most troubling performance of their recent shocking run, and one that does not bode well for their trip to Anfield this weekend.

It is easy to attribute these performances to the absence of key players like Rodri, Ruben Dias, and Kevin de Bruyne, but one this is certain, this is not the same all-conquering City team we have become used to.

Perhaps the January window can fix a few of the problems, but how bad might things be at that point?

Lewandowski hits 100

Robert Lewandowski isn’t slowing down any time soon. He scored two goals in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Brest, a penalty and a simple finish to seal the victory.

Lewandowski joins Messi and Ronaldo as the only players to score 100 or more goals in the Champions League.

The 36-year-old has now become only the third player in Champions League history to crack the 100-goal barrier; he now sits at 101. Only Ronaldo (141) and Messi (129) have more.

Lewandowski may have been denied a Ballon d'Or in 2020, but he could very win the award next season, should he continue in this form.

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