Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.Everything

Real Madrid is out of sorts, and the Frenchman is part of that. As such, the glare falls on him. He’s the story, a dialed-down, diluted version of the soccer phenom he was upon arrival in Spain. A dizzied surfer unable to ride the waves he once could.

When Kylian Mbappé stepped up to the penalty spot, it was his moment to show he joined Real Madrid to shine in the biggest games, against the biggest opponents. Instead, Mbappé’s kick was saved by Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper,