Real Madrid’s star forward, Kylian Mbappé, is expected to travel with the team for the crucial second leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 match against Manchester City next week. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa expressed confidence in Mbappé’s recovery from a left knee sprain that has sidelined him since December.
Mbappé missed Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Elche at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where teammate Vinícius Júnior stepped up to score a hat-trick. The importance of Mbappé’s return is underscored by Real Madrid’s challenging upcoming schedule, including the City clash and a derby match against Atlético Madrid on March 22, 2024.
During a news conference on Friday, Arbeloa provided an update on Mbappé’s condition. “He is getting better every day,” the coach said. “His development is progressing as it should. We made a plan, and while his availability depends on his progress, I think he is doing very well. He won’t be available tomorrow, but I expect he’ll travel to Manchester.”
As Madrid’s leading scorer with 38 goals across all competitions this season, Mbappé’s absence has been felt in several key matches, including the league encounter against City and the Spanish Supercopa. Arbeloa refrained from commenting on whether Mbappé should rest during the upcoming international break to facilitate his recovery, stating, “That’s a long way off. I want him to travel to Manchester.”
The coach emphasized his intention to field a strong lineup against Elche, despite the demanding schedule. “Tomorrow we’ll field the best possible XI to win. The players have to end each match completely exhausted; it’s their job,” he asserted. Arbeloa’s focus remains on securing victory, highlighting the need for players to maintain high performance levels.
In addition to discussing his star forward, Arbeloa praised goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for his exceptional performance in the first leg against City, where he made crucial saves that preserved Madrid’s lead. “I’ve played with some of the best goalkeepers in the world, but what Courtois does is unmatched,” Arbeloa remarked. “There’s no debate; he’s undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in Real Madrid’s history, in my opinion.”
As Real Madrid prepares for these pivotal matches, the potential return of Mbappé remains a beacon of hope for fans and teammates alike. The upcoming fixtures will certainly test the squad’s depth and resilience as they aim for success on multiple fronts.
