Euro 2024 will be remembered for many reasons, but prolific strikers won’t be one of them. Despite featuring some of the world’s best goalscorers, the competition saw a curious trend: own goals outnumbered those scored from open play. Kylian Mbappe, the French goal machine, was just one of the forwards who misfired in Germany. So, why did he struggle? Let’s find out.
Why did Kylian Mbappe Fail to Impress in Euro 2024?
Kylian Mbappe thrives in a free role across the teams he plays for. He enjoyed this privilege at Paris Saint-Germain and continues to do so with the national team. In essence, it’s the dream role for any attacker – the freedom to roam the pitch, influence the game as they see fit with minimal defensive responsibilities.
It wasn’t diificult to understand what France head coach Didier Deschamps wanted to do in the Euros. He wanted to utilise Mbappe’s attacking prowess to its full-extent. Deschamps did not want to burden him with additional defensive burdens, so he tasked some of his teammates with extra defensive duties. It’s a gamble that did not eventually work out.
A well-oiled midfield trio of Marcus Thuram, Adrien Rabiot, and N’Golo Kante acted as Mbappe’s defensive shield. This liberated him to either drop deep and receive the ball or exploit space behind the opposition defence with his trademark runs.
Mbappe’s roaming presence across the frontline caused constant problems. He was a constant threat, equally comfortable operating as a central striker or drifting wide to the wing.
This tactical freedom translated into impressive numbers: averaging a high 51.8 touches per 90 minutes, showcasing his involvement in the game’s flow. He also attempted a significant 33.7 passes per 90, demonstrating his willingness to contribute to build-up play. However, his most lethal instinct remained undimmed – averaging a staggering 24 shots per 90 minutes, surpassing even the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, who managed one fewer attempt.
Despite his high volume of shots, Mbappe’s conversion rate was incredibly low. His solitary goal came from the penalty spot against Poland. Even in that match, he unchrasterically wasted a flurry of clear-cut chances. In a normal day, we would expect a striker of his caliber putting these away without breaking a sweat.
The most glaring miss came in the dying moments of the tense semi-final against Spain. He blazed the ball over the crossbar with the goal seemingly at his mercy.
It’s worth noting that Mbappe fractured his nose in the opening match, forcing him to miss the second game and wear a protective mask for the remainder of the tournament. This undoubtedly hampered his usual playing style and potentially affected his finishing accuracy.
The debate surrounding Mbappe’s Euros will likely rage on. While his overall influence and creativity were undeniable, his conversion rate remained a major talking point. Did the injury hinder him too much, or were there underlying issues in his finishing form?
Only Mbappe himself can answer those questions. However, one thing is certain: despite this blip, his raw talent and goalscoring prowess remain undeniable. He’ll be looking to silence his critics and reclaim his goalscoring crown at the next major international tournament.
