Kylian Mbappe is set to be out of Real Madrid action for up to three weeks according to Carrusel in Spain, citing anonymous sources, in what is a huge blow for the 15-time winners’ hopes of advancing past the Champions League last 16.
Real Madrid has again been pitted against Manchester City, which it has faced in a number of epic knockout stage battles in Europe’s premier club competition over the past few years.
The first leg of the tie is set to be played at the Bernabeu on March 11th, with the decider taking place in Manchester six days later.
Mbappe is therefore expected to miss moth matches, as well as La Liga encounters with Getafe, Celta Vigo and Elche.
Real Madrid can’t call on Kylian Mbappe for a number of key games
Featuring in the Madrid derby against Atletico on March 22nd is possible, but it’s doubtful that Alvaro Arbeloa would throw the Frenchman into the heat of such an intense battle from the off.
Depending on how that one goes, Mbappe might pick up some minutes towards the end, and perhaps be fitter for relegation-threatened Mallorca a fortnight later after the international break has been and gone.
In an ideal world, Madrid would then be contesting the first leg of a potential Champions League quarterfinal showdown with Atalanta or Bayern Munich on April 7th or 8th.
Mbappe was last seen in action a week ago when he played all 90 minutes of Madrid’s shock 2-1 defeat at Osasuna.
Missing the playoff second leg against Benfica, which Los Blancos won 2-1 on the night for a 3-1 overall aggregate victory midweek, his setback is a huge blow to Arbeloa and Co. at a key point of the season.
In his absence, Gonzalo Garcia might be expected to act as the central number 9 while that could also free up minutes on the right wing for someone like Franco Mastantuono.
