Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishReal Madrid are still alive in the race for La Liga despite being made to suffer again during a narrow 3-2 win against Leganes.Defensive frailty unleashed the wrath of the Bernabeu faithful during the match against the south Madrid team, who are 18th in the table. The crowd whistled at half-time and at the end of the game.But another superb performance from Kylian Mbappe — who scored a brace — led Real Madrid to victory, with Jude Bellingham picking up the other goal.There was also controversy as Leganes were annoyed by some of the refereeing decisions, including the foul that led to Madrid’s penalty that gave them the lead.“We had control, but lacked balance and that’s why we conceded the two goals. They were grey situations in which the referee decided that way. And we could have managed the advantage better,” Ancelotti said after the match.The Athletic’s Guillermo Rai was at the game and brings you the key talking points…Mbappe equals Ronaldo debut seasonThe 26-year-old has completely forgotten the initial doubts over his form and now it seems his position on the pitch doesn’t even matter.Playing as the focal point of the attack, Mbappe was on the receiving end of most of Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler’s inside passes.The Leganes back line didn’t let him turn and tried to make it uncomfortable but the chances started to come, with only the reactions of Leganes goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic keeping him in check.After a penalty was awarded to Madrid in the 32nd minute, Mbappe demonstrated his new-found confidence — and lifted the Bernabeu — by scoring a deft Panenka-style chip. Sources close to Mbappe’s camp — who, like others in this article, remain anonymous to protect relationships — told The Athletic after the game that they think his adaptation to the team could be complete. Despite criticism from the press, the Frenchman’s camp understands it when he performs poorly. However, they are generally happy and reassured by how the media have treated them.Despite rumours of a cold or distant relationship with Vinicius Junior, the same sources close to Mbappe speak of the Brazilian with appreciation — and the players shared an embrace after the Frenchman’s winning goal from a free kick in the 76th minute.It was not just the goals that showed Mbappe has found his rhythm. His superb performance also featured five shots on target, three completed dribbles and six duels won. He completed 88 per cent of his passes, too.In his last 10 La Liga games, the Madrid striker has scored 12 goals and is the division’s second-top scorer with 22 goals, one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.“He’s very good, much more active, present in the game. He has adapted very well and now he is making a difference. That’s what we want from him,” Ancelotti said.
12 – Players with most goals in @LaLigaEN in calendar year 2025:
12 – KYLIAN MBAPPÉ 🇫🇷7 – Robert Lewandowski 🇵🇱6 – Oihan Sancet 🇪🇸6 – Julián Álvarez 🇦🇷6 – Kike García 🇪🇸
BOOM. 🐢 pic.twitter.com/7RH8Jjphwx
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 29, 2025Mbappe’s double also took him to 33 goals from 45 games in all competitions, drawing him level with the debut season of his boyhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo, who reached that tally from 33 games. Mbappe is only four goals from levelling the club record for a debut season, held by Fernando Sanudo (1934-35) and Ivan Zamorano (1992-93).“Having the same goals as Cristiano is always good, we know what he represents for Madrid and for me. We talk all the time, he gives me a lot of advice,” Mbappe said after the match.While the landmark is a sign of progress, however, Mbappe’s focus is on trophies, with the domestic title and the Champions League still up for grabs.A first free-kick goalMbappe settled the game after Fran Garcia set him up from a free kick. The 26-year-old made his way around the pitch to the bench to dedicate the goal to goalkeeping coach Luis Llopis.“We’ve been working on it with the staff for days. I celebrated the free-kick with Llopis because the goal is everyone’s business. I asked to take it and it went well,” Mbappe said.“He tried it yesterday and it went very well, he’s very effective at it,” added Ancelotti.Yet, in a broader context, the goal was a surprise; the stats will say it was the first time Mbappe had scored from a free kick in his career (Opta defines such set-piece routines as free-kick goals, even if other players are involved before the shot). As Sofascore details, the Frenchman had previously attempted 17 without success.At Madrid, since the last tour of the United States, the coaching staff had selected Rodrygo as the main free-kick taker. But Luka Modric, who has played more than initially expected, has also been given the responsibility.Others, including Federico Valverde, have tried from time to time at Ancelotti’s request. And the future is even brighter in this area, with assistant coach Francesco Mauri leading the set pieces.With David Alaba’s return from injury, the team has another specialist — and if Trent Alexander-Arnold ends up joining the club, the coaching staff will see him as a key player from free kicks and corners.Mbappe is the latest option, but there will be competition.
🎯 @KMbappe 🎯 pic.twitter.com/XEEphkwwvy
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 29, 2025Defensive dilemmaBefore the game, sources at Valdebebas confirmed they are aware of the stats published by The Athletic that show the club has made the fewest substitutions in La Liga. They have discussed the data internally. They believe Ancelotti has only 12 truly reliable players, which does not tarnish his overall good work but may create doubts in the confidence of the substitutes.This time, however, Ancelotti rested three starters: Valverde, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. In their place, he brought in less regular players, including Guler. The team looked more defensively robust by fielding five midfielders: Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Guler, Bellingham and Brahim. But the reality is that Madrid continued to be vulnerable.Just a minute after Mbappe’s first goal, Leganes surprised the home side with a counter-attack, finished by Diego Garcia Campos, to make it 1-1.Not for the first time this season, Madrid suffered on both flanks and before half-time, Leganes took advantage of the space behind the full-backs for Dani Raba to make it 2-1. Raul Asencio could have cut out the cross but it all stemmed from a huge amount of space around Lucas Vazquez.With nine games to go, Madrid have already conceded more league goals this season (29) than last season (26). With silverware on the line, it needs urgent attention.(Top photo: Mateo Villalba/Getty Images)
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