At a glance
- To preview Saturday’s clash against Mallorca, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa called reports that Kylian Mbappe’s wrong knee was diagnosed “absolutely false”.
- The Frenchman could feature in Son Moix.
- Eder Militao could also get the greenlight after recovering from his hamstring tear.
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa called reports that Kylian Mbappe’s wrong knee was diagnosed “absolutely false”, and demanded that the row is put to bed ahead of Mallorca and a decisive stretch of the season now that the international break has passed.
In peak form with 45 goals in 44 appearances for club and country, Mbappe featured sparingly before FIFA took over the calendar.
He was benched for the 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the Bernabeu, which helped maintain a four-point gap between Los Blancos and FC Barcelona at the La Liga summit.
Yet Arbeloa wants to look forward, and called such reports “absolutely false information” at a prematch press conference to preview the Mallorca tie.
“It’s time to leave his knee behind and focus on his goals. [I hope] that he returns to the level he has and has shown,” the manager added.
Arbeloa was asked about Real Madrid Galactico Mbappe’s confession
This week, while appearing on Aurelien Tchouameni‘s “The Bridge” podcast, Mbappe confessed that he doesn’t defend as much as his teammates.
Arbeloa seemed unconcerned by this when it was raised with him, saying “Kylian has a huge commitment and knows perfectly well what I’m asking of him. Both him and Vini“.
“Forwards have to defend less than defenders; just as they attack more than defenders. But we need to be a very committed team every day. The 25 players. At this moment we must finish the game without sparing any effort, and then, the talent of these players will make all the difference,” Arbeloa insisted.
Arbeloa had high praise for Real Madrid defender Militao
With the Brazilian raring to return following recovery from his December hamstring tear, Arbeloa confirmed Eder Militao’s return and said that, when on form, he’s “probably the best centre-back in the world”.
“I haven’t been lucky enough to coach him yet, but he’s a sensational centre-back. Because of his conditions and leadership, he’ll help us a lot. He’s a differential player and we’re very happy to have him back.”
With Bayern Munich ahead on Tuesday in the Champions League quarterfinals, Militao and Mbappe are perhaps unlikely to start while Vinicius Jr.’s fitness is also touch and go.
In Militao’s place, Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen are likely to continue as the central defensive pairing.
Up front, Arbeloa could start a striker pairing of wingers as we saw in Carlo Ancelotti’s European and La Liga-winning 2023/2024 campaign when it was often Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.
With Rodrygo out for the rest of the season and Vinicius doubtful, though, Arbeloa might again go for Brahim Diaz (as he did against Atleti) and Gonzalo Garcia or Arda Guler.
