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Kylian Mbappe is expected to return from injury as Real Madrid aim to secure a spot in the Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday against Manchester City.
Mbappe missed Real’s 3-0 first-leg win in Madrid due to a knee injury, but has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season and is slated to play at the Etihad Stadium.
Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Monday that Mbappe was ready to play and emphasised how important he would be for the team, adding that he was looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch and enjoying his goals.
“Mbappe is ready to play.
“I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course, he’ll be important.”
Arbeloa also noted that England midfielder Jude Bellingham had traveled with the squad as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem, though he is not yet available to feature.
He added that it was important for Bellingham to be around his teammates and participate in team talks, stating the leadership role he continues to play.
“Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates,” Arbeloa said.
“I’m very happy to see him getting closer to the team. It is important to be around his team-mates, during the team-talk and at half-time he’ll be one of the leaders as he always is.”
Real Madrid are aiming to eliminate Manchester City from the Champions League for a third straight season after establishing a substantial first-leg advantage.
Defender Antonio Rudiger said the key to victory would be keeping City striker Erling Haaland from regaining his top form.
Rudiger described facing players like Haaland as both a challenge and a pleasure, noting that he enjoys physical battles and looks forward to the duel. He acknowledged Haaland’s strength and world-class ability, saying that such matchups excite him.
“Players like Haaland, it’s a huge pleasure to play against this type of player.
“I like the physical battle, I want it and need it, the same as him. I’m looking forward to it.
“He’s a world-class striker, very strong, and I like these type of duels.”
Addressing claims from Getafe defender Diego Rico that he committed an assault in a recent challenge, Rudiger insisted that the incident was exaggerated.
He explained that in real time, the challenge was not as severe as it appeared in slow motion, pointing out that Rico stood up afterward.
Rudiger emphasized that while he plays tough, he maintains boundaries and acts within the limits of fair play.
“In slow motion it looks terrible but in the action itself and also what the player said, it was like I almost killed him,” Rudiger said.
“He doesn’t need to exaggerate because if I’d had the intention to do that he wouldn’t have stood up.
“I don’t justify it but the way he spoke after the game was like I killed him, but he was running afterwards.
“We all know I like to be tough on the pitch but I still have boundaries. I am a human being.”
