Real Madrid choose their primary penalty and free-kick taker for this season | OneFootball

Real Madrid have started the season with two back-to-back wins under Xabi Alonso, with their most recent triumph coming against Real Oviedo.

However, Alonso still has to fix a series of issues if he wants Real Madrid to truly compete with Barcelona for the league title this season.

One of the problems for Real Madrid has been the lack of efficacy from set-pieces and penalties.

This was largely attributed to a lack of clarity as far as the free-kick and penalty takers are concerned. Instead of assigning specific roles, Real Madrid players often took turns.

Mbappe to take free kicks and penalties

However, according to The Athletic, Xabi Alonso has finally fixed this problem for Real Madrid by assigning a definitive person for free kicks and penalties.

That designated person is none other than Kylian Mbappe, who is really becoming the focal point of the Real Madrid team in his second season.

Kylian Mbappe is leading from the front. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The Frenchman scored two of the three goals against Real Oviedo, showcasing leadership, maturity and the ability to lead from the front.

One of the goals scored by Mbappe came from a direct penalty as well.

Under Alonso, Mbappe will be taking free-kicks and penalties from now on, thus putting an end to Real Madrid’s switching policy.

This does mean that the likes of Vinicius, Federico Valverde or even Jude Bellingham will no longer be taking penalties from now on.

This could have a positive impact on the team as Mbappe can now definitely train for penalties and free kicks without having to fear about losing his role as a set-piece taker.

Even in the absence of Mbappe, Real Madrid have a qualified list of set-piece takers who can easily replace the Frenchman, including the newly-signed Trent Alexander-Arnold.