Real Madrid megastar duo eager to make partnership work after disappointing returns last season | OneFootball

Real Madrid may have the most fearsome attacking duo in Europe on paper, but getting Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe to truly complement each other on the pitch remains a significant challenge.

According to an update from MARCA, the Brazilian and French forwards are still searching for the spark that will make their partnership thrive.

Despite sharing the pitch for 47 matches last season, the pair only managed to score in the same match on just eight occasions.

Those games came against Real Sociedad, Espanyol, Celta Vigo (twice), Atalanta, Pachuca, Salzburg and Rayo Vallecano.

Worryingly, since the 9th of March fixture against Rayo Vallecano at home, Vinicius and Mbappe have not found the net in the same game.

Since then, they have featured together in 13 of the last 22 matches, but without the combined impact expected of them.

Task for Alonso to undertake

Alonso needs to establish the harmony between Mbappe and Vinicius. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Their lack of connection is not just about scoring. While Vinicius has assisted five goals for Mbappe, the Frenchman has only returned the favour twice. For a club that demands the highest standards, those numbers are far from satisfactory.

These two are not just star players, they are meant to be the focal point of a new Real Madrid era.

But to lead the club to glory, they must figure out how to play for each other, not just alongside each other. This is where Xabi Alonso’s tactical nous and man-management skills come into play.

His biggest task this season is not simply to get results, but to build a team where Madrid’s marquee duo operate in sync, amplifying each other’s strengths instead of operating in silos.

There is no denying the individual brilliance of either Vinicius or Mbappe. But Real Madrid do not want two separate stars. They want a lethal combination.

For now, that formula is still missing and Alonso will know that forging that chemistry could be the difference between a good season and a great one.