Daily Archives: November 2, 2023

Kylian Mbappe’s drilled, near-post finish is bamboozling opponents


“… Henry’s reference to playing style is that he was, and Mbappe is, a right-footer who played off the left, though they share an interpretation of the role as more inside-forward than winger. Across his senior career, Henry registered more than twice as many league goals as assists, while Mbappe’s ratio is three to one. Henry’s trademark became the far-post finish, often curled into the bottom-right corner. Mbappe scores those — in fact, he can score every type of goal — but is increasingly getting goals in a way Henry did not. He is still cutting in from the left but reversing the shot, using the laces or instep to drill a near-post finish, catching the goalkeeper and defender(s) unaware. …”
The Athletic (Video)