MANCHESTER, England – Real Madrid have received a significant boost ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, with both Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham included in the travelling squad. The news, confirmed on Saturday, offers manager Álvaro Arbeloa more options as the Spanish giants aim to protect their advantage following a 3-0 first-leg victory at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mbappé has been recovering from a sprain in his left knee, an injury that kept him out of action since February 21st in a 2-1 LaLiga defeat against Osasuna. His return to the squad is a welcome sight for Real Madrid fans, as the prolific forward has already scored 13 Champions League goals this season. While Arbeloa had previously indicated his expectation that Mbappé would travel to Manchester, the inclusion of Bellingham comes as a surprise, given the initial prognosis of his injury.
Bellingham hasn’t featured for Real Madrid since February 1st due to a muscle injury. ESPN reported that the midfielder was not expected to return to action until April and England coach Thomas Tuchel had expressed doubts about his availability for international duty later this month. Yet, Arbeloa has deemed Bellingham fit enough to travel, though sources indicate he is unlikely to feature in the starting lineup against City.
The return of these two key players significantly strengthens Real Madrid’s squad depth. Both were absent during Madrid’s 4-1 LaLiga win over Elche on Saturday, a match where Arbeloa was forced to rely on several academy players due to the team’s injury crisis. The manager is cautiously optimistic about Mbappé’s fitness, stating after the Elche match, “We’ll train at Valdebebas [on Sunday], we’ll try Mbappé out, and we’ll see how he feels. I hope he’ll be available. If he can be in Manchester it will be great news.”
Left-back Álvaro Carreras has also been added to the squad for the trip to the Etihad Stadium, further bolstering Arbeloa’s defensive options. The inclusion of these players provides tactical flexibility for Real Madrid as they prepare to face a Manchester City side determined to overturn the first-leg deficit.
Real Madrid’s first leg victory was highlighted by a hat-trick from Federico Valverde, a performance that showcased the team’s attacking prowess even in the absence of key players. However, the match wasn’t without its missed opportunities, as Vinícius Júnior failed to convert a second-half penalty, offering City a glimmer of hope.
Manchester City, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from a 1-1 draw against West Ham United in their most recent Premier League fixture. The result leaves them nine points behind league leaders Arsenal, adding further pressure to perform well in the Champions League.
The second leg promises to be a captivating encounter between two of Europe’s elite clubs. With Mbappé and Bellingham potentially available, Real Madrid will be confident of securing their place in the quarter-finals. However, Manchester City’s home advantage and attacking firepower indicate they remain a formidable opponent.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Etihad Stadium. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM local time (7:00 PM GMT/3:00 PM EST). Fans can expect a tense and exciting battle as Real Madrid look to defend their lead and Manchester City strive for a dramatic comeback.
What’s Next: Real Madrid will return to domestic action following the Champions League clash, facing Athletic Club in LaLiga on March 22nd. Manchester City will face Fulham in the Premier League on March 23rd.
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