Real Madrid Make Crucial Kylian Mbappe Decision Ahead of Blockbuster Man City Showdown
Kylian Mbappé has been included in Real Madrid's roster for Wednesday's Champions League encounter against Manchester City despite concerns over a fitness issue.
The French striker was absent from Tuesday's public training session due to a knee problem that raised significant questions about his participation in the league phase showdown with Pep Guardiola's team—marking the fifth consecutive season that Madrid and Man City will face each other in the Champions League.
Mbappé has been crucial for Los Blancos this campaign, netting 25 goals across all tournaments, making his potential absence a significant blow for such a high-profile European fixture.
Xabi Alonso faces intense scrutiny going into this match following the weekend's 2–0 home loss to Celta Vigo, which extended the club's poor form streak and has put the Spanish manager's position under threat.
With his future hanging in the balance, Alonso desperately needs not just a strong showing against Man City, but a win that would enhance Madrid's chances of securing a top-eight spot and direct qualification to the round of 16.
Mbappé's inclusion in the matchday roster will provide Alonso and his squad with confidence against their impressive English opponents, even if the 26-year-old isn't ready to start the match. The France striker has netted seven times in seven encounters against the Citizens, including a treble at the Santiago Bernabéu during last season's knockout round.
Real Madrid's Defensive Injury Curse
Mbappé will be available in some form against Man City, but Madrid are missing an incredible six defenders for this fixture.
Éder Militão has returned to the medical bay and will be sidelined for three to four months, joining an extensive injury list that includes Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba and Dean Huijsen. Eduardo Camavinga is also unavailable in the middle of the park.
This leaves Alonso with severely limited choices, having only Raúl Asencio and Antonio Rüdiger as experienced center-back options while Federico Valverde must fill in at right-back. Academy players Joan Martínez and Víctor Valdepeñas have been called up to the squad against Man City to provide defensive depth.
Madrid will face even greater defensive shortages this weekend when they meet Alavés in La Liga due to domestic bans for left-backs Álvaro Carreras and Fran García following their dismissals against Celta Vigo.