Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius of Real Madrid
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Sometimes, a tactical problem can be explained better by one image than by detailed analysis from performance analysts at a club.
Real Madrid’s average position map from the 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid is one of those occasions.
Los Blancos travelled to the Metropolitano, which has not been a happy hunting ground for them for the past eight years.
In a derby marred by refereeing controversy, Madrid were reduced to 10 men after Dean Huijsen was sent off early in the second half.
Jose Mourinho made no attempt to hide his thoughts about the refereeing, but there were some concerning patterns emerging from the performance.
One of them is a cause for concern: Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe’s average positions were effectively identical. In fact, the Brazilian’s marker is hidden underneath the Frenchman’s on the graphic.
🚨 The average position of each Real Madrid player on the pitch vs Atletico Madrid. @lequipe
Kylian Mbappé and Vini Jr had the EXACT same average position, to the point where Vini cannot even be seen on the graphic 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WLOUj2BAFM
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) September 20, 2026
There could not be a clearer visual representation of an issue Mourinho needs to solve.
Vinicius and Mbappe are occupying the same territory
The problem is not simply that both players prefer the left. Great attackers can rotate positions and combine in the same channel.
The issue comes when their movements repeatedly take them towards the same spaces without someone consistently providing width or threatening elsewhere.
Mbappe naturally gravitates left even when starting as the centre-forward. Vinicius, meanwhile, has built his game around receiving on that same side and attacking defenders from there.
Against Atletico, that overlap became particularly noticeable. One first-half counter-attack even saw Arda Guler moving into space on the right while Vinicius instead turned back towards Mbappe on his left.
Madrid therefore risk becoming predictable. If Vinicius stays wide, Mbappe can attack the inside-left channel.
If Mbappe drifts outside, Vinicius needs the freedom and understanding to attack central spaces.
When both arrive in essentially the same areas, one can end up reducing the other’s room, rendering them ineffective.
Mourinho needs complementary movement
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid player
Jose Mourinho need to find a way to get Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. to co-exist. (Photo by Francisco Macia/Getty Images)
This is particularly important because Vinicius is already enduring a difficult start to the season individually.
He has scored only once from 24 shots across Madrid’s opening eight matches, while his take-on numbers and efficiency have also fallen sharply.
The solution is not necessarily choosing between them. Madrid would be giving up an enormous attacking ceiling by reaching that conclusion too early.
Instead, Mourinho has to build a structure that separates their starting positions while still allowing combinations.
That could mean demanding greater discipline from Vinicius on the touchline, using Mbappe more centrally, or ensuring the duo rotate during games.
The onus is also on the likes of Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler to occupy complementary roles on the right to support Vinicius and Mbappe.
There were obviously other reasons Madrid struggled at the Metropolitano, including Dean Huijsen’s second-half dismissal.
Los Blancos also created very little even when the game was played 11 vs 11.
However, the average position map highlights an issue that has been prevalent at Madrid for a few seasons now.
Madrid possess two devastating left-sided attackers. The challenge is making sure that playing them together multiplies their threat rather than diminishing it.
Mourinho has a huge task on his hands to bring the best out of his attackers, and it remains to be seen whether Vinicius can rediscover his best level during the international break.
Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid
Metropolitano has been a bogey ground for Real Madrid in recent seasons. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Arda Guler and Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid
The onus is on Jose Mourinho to set the record straight against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)