Will Mbappe face Haaland in Manchester?

Kylian Mbappe continues to be absent from Real Madrid's match against Elche due to a knee injury, but coach Alvaro Arbeloa still hopes the French star can return in time to face Manchester City.

Forward Kylian Mbappe will not return in time for Real Madrid's La Liga match against Elche this weekend, as he is still recovering from a knee injury. However, coach Álvaro Arbeloa hopes the French star can join the team's trip to Manchester to face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.

Mbappe has missed Real Madrid's last four matches due to knee issues. Although recovery is progressing positively, the coaching staff and medical team decided not to risk using the 1998-born forward against Elche to avoid injury recurrence.

According to coach Arbeloa, Real Madrid prioritizes ensuring Mbappe's optimal condition before the crucial Champions League match. Bringing him back too early could pose significant risks during this critical phase of the season.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the Spanish coach stated: “It's not overly complicated. Mbappe is recovering well and progressing daily. We have a clear plan for him. Mbappe will not play against Elche, but I believe he can travel with the team to Manchester. We will continue monitoring his condition over the next few days before making the final decision.”

Despite missing the main striker, Arbeloa demands his players maintain high intensity when facing Elche. He emphasized Real Madrid is fiercely competing for the La Liga title and must not lose focus.

“We play with the mindset of fighting for the La Liga crown. This is a very important match. I want the team's atmosphere and spirit to be like when we faced Manchester City in the first leg. The players must give maximum effort and maintain concentration,” Arbeloa emphasized.

Currently, Real Madrid ranks second in the La Liga standings, trailing Barcelona by points. After the Elche match, the Spanish Royal team will travel to England for the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City.

In the first leg, Real Madrid gained a significant advantage by winning 3-0 thanks to Federico Valverde's impressive hat-trick, widening the path to the quarter-finals. If Mbappe recovers timely, his return would substantially boost Real Madrid's attacking power in the challenging away trip to Manchester.