Zinedine Zidane - and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kylian Mbappé does not have to think long when it comes to the role models of his youth. "Both have left their mark on the history of football," the striker revealed in an interview with "Mirror". This is exactly what Mbappé is up to and he knows that he has to leave Paris Saint-Germain to do so. A move to Real Madrid, where he would train under his idol Zidane, only seems a matter of time.
And yet it is worth going through the Juventus thought experiment - and sending Mbappé on the same journey as Zidane once did. He left French Ligue 1 and Girondins Bordeaux in 1996 to join Juventus. In 2001 "Zizou" finally took the step to Real Madrid, where he crowned his club career in the first season by winning the Champions League.
Mbappé would not only follow in the footsteps of his famous compatriot, but also play in Turin with Ronaldo, who went the opposite way and switched from Real to Juventus in 2018
Mbappé would also be more challenged than in Ligue 1, although Juventus has dominated the Italian championship in recent years as PSG has dominated the French. Turin could be just the right stop for the development of the 21-year-old, before he would be completely in the focus of the sporting world public in Madrid. But: would there be any place for Mbappé in the Juventus tactical concept?
Which game systems are available with Mbappé?
4-3-3 - the power variant
A classic that would be extremely interesting, Juventus could send a trio of exceptional strikers to the field with Mbappé, Ronaldo and Paolo Dybala. But who plays where? With Dybala the case would be clear, the Argentine would have to occupy the right attack side for better or worse. There were debates with Ronaldo and Mbappé.
In paper form, the five-time world soccer player from Portugal would have to take over the left side, Mbappé the center. That would mean that the game focuses more on the young French, which in turn should be rejected by Ronaldo. Finally, Mbappé could steal the show. Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri would therefore have to make friends with a flexible offensive line-up, in which the trio gets an enormous amount of freedom on the pitch.
4-3-1-2 - the creative option
Probably the best way to show off the strengths of the offensive stars. Ronaldo and Mbappé are at the forefront in their favorite positions and Dybala would also be close enough to the opposing goal to develop danger. In addition, the Argentinian can bring his pass and dribble strength to bear behind the Portuguese and the French.
With a 4-3-1-2, Juventus would be more creative on the offensive - so far a weakness of the team. Ronaldo would also have a new, congenial partner in Mbappé. Most recently, the 35-year-old had also played with Gonzalo Higuaín, but the Argentine missed the necessary punch in the broken season with only five goals.
4-4-2 - the emergency solution
The problem immediately catches the eye: three attackers of world-class format, but only two places in the storm. So what option does Sarri have? It is quite possible that Mbappé will move into the right offensive midfield in a 4-4-2. It would not be new territory for the youngster, who also has to rotate cheerfully in the French national team. Coach Didier Deschamps used Mbappé in his four most recent appearances on the right, on the left and in the center. Flexibility is required - and the super talent also brings it.
Only: If Mbappé does not play in the first row, he misses a lot of goals. The PSG star scored 18 goals in the now abandoned Ligue 1 season and thus secured the top scorer cannon in France. A 4-4-2 with Mbappé, Ronaldo and Dybala can ultimately only be a temporary solution.
The result: Juventus and Mbappé - does that fit?
Large players are able to adapt again and again while maintaining the level. Ronaldo has shown this at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, and Zidane has shown it at Juventus and Real. Mbappé unquestionably also brings this quality, despite his young years - as his versatility in the Équipe Tricolore shows, with which he became world champion in 2018.
The challenge in Turin would be to compete with Ronaldo and in a "rougher" league. Mbappé can do that without compromising. The answer to the question of whether the young star would suit the old lady can only be yes.
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