Kylian Mbappe is ready to play his part in Real Madrid's Champions League last 16 second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday, Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed.
Mbappe, who is the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals, missed last week's 3-0 win at Estadio Bernabeu with a knee injury that has seen him sidelined since February 21.
The France international has netted more times against the Citizens than any other opponent (seven), including netting a hat-trick in his most recent appearance against them in last season's play-off round, and will be keen to have his say here.
Madrid are looking to eliminate City from the Champions League knockout stages for a fifth time. Only Bayern Munich have been eliminated by an opponent on more than five occasions in the knockout stages of the competition (seven against Los Blancos).
Arbeloa's team are already assigned an 87% chance of reaching the quarter-finals by the Opta supercomputer, with those hopes boosted by Arbeloa's comments on Mbappe's availability on Monday.
"He is ready to play," Arbeloa told reporters. "So, tomorrow you will see."
But there has been a suggestion that Madrid have improved without Mbappe in their ranks.
The 27-year-old has missed 13 games in all competitions this term, with Madrid averaging more goals (2.5 to 2.1) when they do not have him in the side, though Arbeloa was quick to defend his star striker.
"It's hard to imagine a team being more competitive without the best player in the world. But that speaks volumes about how well the team is doing," Arbeloa added.
"Kylian brings different qualities to the team than other players like Brahim, but he also has a great understanding of the game.
"He's a very intelligent player and capable of moving into the spaces created by the opposition. I'm eager to have him on the pitch."
But one player who won't feature despite travelling over for the match at Etihad Stadium is Jude Bellingham, who is nearing a return from a hamstring injury.
Bellingham sustained the issue at the start of February and was expected to be sidelined for a month, though scans confirmed the injury was more serious than first thought.
"Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates to be with the team. He will continue and do part of the training, but he won't be available tomorrow," Arbeloa said.
"Mbappe is already available, so you will see him. I am eager to have him on the field, to enjoy him and his goals, but also in the game, he will be a very important player."
Bellingham's absence had raised doubts about his availability for England's friendlies later this month against Uruguay and Japan.
Arbeloa said he was "very happy" to see Bellingham "getting closer" to a return and acknowledged his presence will lift Real's squad for the game.
"It will be very important for his team-mates to see him training today and tomorrow before the match, at half-time, or afterwards," he added.
"He is a player who will be one of the leaders, and he already is. It's very important that he is here with us."
Zuzeiopryz
0
Man City wired
Meabinrtu
2
vuaabdipu
0
If Pep doesn't field a proper lineup, Mbappe won't have many difficulties scoring a hat-trick tonight. We might even see two goals from Valverde again Man City needs to field this lineup
M_cAveli
1
This would be the end of a good Era. Mbappe should know that he’s supposedly irreplaceable but Madrid would replace him anytime like nothing happened. Taking injections for big games wasn’t what made both Messi and Ronaldo great! He should insist he gets better before playing and also have a good diet. Injections would ruin his beautiful career!
You’re only a fan, stop thinking players are machines. Look at what injections did to Neymar and most players. Just because of games. Mbappe is really a world class but Must perform in his own physical capacity not injections to please the team and lose his future. He can still win in a long term career.
ABDULFATAI ADESANYA
1
This would be the end of a good Era. Mbappe should know that he’s supposedly irreplaceable but Madrid would replace him anytime like nothing happened. Taking injections for big games wasn’t what made both Messi and Ronaldo great! He should insist he gets better before playing and also have a good diet. Injections would ruin his beautiful career!
Mbappe doesn't need any injection but i think you in particular deserve to be giving a pain relief injection before the match
ABDULFATAI ADESANYA
1
This would be the end of a good Era. Mbappe should know that he’s supposedly irreplaceable but Madrid would replace him anytime like nothing happened. Taking injections for big games wasn’t what made both Messi and Ronaldo great! He should insist he gets better before playing and also have a good diet. Injections would ruin his beautiful career!
You needed a pain relief injection.
Couacisuyz
0
This would be the end of a good Era. Mbappe should know that he’s supposedly irreplaceable but Madrid would replace him anytime like nothing happened. Taking injections for big games wasn’t what made both Messi and Ronaldo great! He should insist he gets better before playing and also have a good diet. Injections would ruin his beautiful career!
🖕🏻🖕🏻🖕🏻
Couacisuyz
0
Hala madrid
Couacisuyz
0
Hala madrid
fokdiktz
1
looking forward to boring game tonight.
musbcrtuy
0
Mbappe finds it difficult to score most times because of selfish play by Vinicius who likes to negatively compete with Mbappe whose no.9 status makes him the key goal scorer for the team. Even when Vinicius is not in any position to score, he would rather try to dribble endlessly until he is either dispossesed of the ball or he wastes it by sending it over the line, but will not pass it to a better positioned Mbappe. Vini needs to go to Saudi Arabia if Madrid fans really want to see a much better version of Mbappe. If Mbappe had played against City in the first leg, he was going to score the penalty that Vinicius so frustratingly and carelessly wasted. That would have placed Madrid in an unassailable position to rule out any talk of a City comeback in the second leg.
you're a barca fan go to hell
M_cAveli
2
This would be the end of a good Era. Mbappe should know that he’s supposedly irreplaceable but Madrid would replace him anytime like nothing happened. Taking injections for big games wasn’t what made both Messi and Ronaldo great! He should insist he gets better before playing and also have a good diet. Injections would ruin his beautiful career!
vumaeinpy
0
Mbappe finds it difficult to score most times because of selfish play by Vinicius who likes to negatively compete with Mbappe whose no.9 status makes him the key goal scorer for the team. Even when Vinicius is not in any position to score, he would rather try to dribble endlessly until he is either dispossesed of the ball or he wastes it by sending it over the line, but will not pass it to a better positioned Mbappe. Vini needs to go to Saudi Arabia if Madrid fans really want to see a much better version of Mbappe. If Mbappe had played against City in the first leg, he was going to score the penalty that Vinicius so frustratingly and carelessly wasted. That would have placed Madrid in an unassailable position to rule out any talk of a City comeback in the second leg.
down ref Madrid city 4-0 Madrid
vumaeinpy
0
he's ref Madrid down fall
al_ameen_101
0
we once beat PSG with both Mbape Neima and Messi
Guess what?
Huabmnstuz
4
Disadvantage madrid
Kancdklmnr
0
guys when will the next match begin
tonight bro
sikcelmopz
1
guys when will the next match begin
Nenabknosz
3
we once beat PSG with both Mbape Neima and Messi
Nenabknosz
2
we shall deal with him
Weecknoptz
3
Mbappe finds it difficult to score most times because of selfish play by Vinicius who likes to negatively compete with Mbappe whose no.9 status makes him the key goal scorer for the team. Even when Vinicius is not in any position to score, he would rather try to dribble endlessly until he is either dispossesed of the ball or he wastes it by sending it over the line, but will not pass it to a better positioned Mbappe. Vini needs to go to Saudi Arabia if Madrid fans really want to see a much better version of Mbappe. If Mbappe had played against City in the first leg, he was going to score the penalty that Vinicius so frustratingly and carelessly wasted. That would have placed Madrid in an unassailable position to rule out any talk of a City comeback in the second leg.
I'm not sure is Madrid's vini u're talking about it's a shame he missed the penalty but for the record anyone can miss penalty mbape has missed a couple this season that's no way to judge a player.are you really a Madrid fan or u're just another Barca hater cos if u're a Madrid fan u'll know that vini has already built his legendary status in Madrid even though I know he's not perfect, mbape is still a work in progress as far as Madrid is concern. yet to build his legacy let love lead no hate
jekbeilnru
0
Mbappe finds it difficult to score most times because of selfish play by Vinicius who likes to negatively compete with Mbappe whose no.9 status makes him the key goal scorer for the team. Even when Vinicius is not in any position to score, he would rather try to dribble endlessly until he is either dispossesed of the ball or he wastes it by sending it over the line, but will not pass it to a better positioned Mbappe. Vini needs to go to Saudi Arabia if Madrid fans really want to see a much better version of Mbappe. If Mbappe had played against City in the first leg, he was going to score the penalty that Vinicius so frustratingly and carelessly wasted. That would have placed Madrid in an unassailable position to rule out any talk of a City comeback in the second leg.
Is true but we hope he has stopped that selfishness at this time round so they are now working as a team 💪💪💪💪💪
jekbeilnru
5
We thank the almighty God that Mbappe is back for the second leg in the champions league against Man City tonight and it our prayers that Mbappe should bring positive impact to the team tonight🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 💓💓💓💓💓💓💋💋💋💋💋👍👍👍👍☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️
Zazaclmps
2
Mbappe finds it difficult to score most times because of selfish play by Vinicius who likes to negatively compete with Mbappe whose no.9 status makes him the key goal scorer for the team. Even when Vinicius is not in any position to score, he would rather try to dribble endlessly until he is either dispossesed of the ball or he wastes it by sending it over the line, but will not pass it to a better positioned Mbappe. Vini needs to go to Saudi Arabia if Madrid fans really want to see a much better version of Mbappe. If Mbappe had played against City in the first leg, he was going to score the penalty that Vinicius so frustratingly and carelessly wasted. That would have placed Madrid in an unassailable position to rule out any talk of a City comeback in the second leg.
Madrid will lose if Mbappe and Vini are both playing.... the all team has no balance Vini unnecessary dribbling losing the⚽⚽ and just 🚶🚶🚶 complain. Mbappe 2 not assisting to defend
Bahdbois
1
Wish you best of luck
Yoybimnor
5
Mbappe finds it difficult to score most times because of selfish play by Vinicius who likes to negatively compete with Mbappe whose no.9 status makes him the key goal scorer for the team. Even when Vinicius is not in any position to score, he would rather try to dribble endlessly until he is either dispossesed of the ball or he wastes it by sending it over the line, but will not pass it to a better positioned Mbappe. Vini needs to go to Saudi Arabia if Madrid fans really want to see a much better version of Mbappe. If Mbappe had played against City in the first leg, he was going to score the penalty that Vinicius so frustratingly and carelessly wasted. That would have placed Madrid in an unassailable position to rule out any talk of a City comeback in the second leg.
Fiybcmtuy
5
mbappe welcome 🤗 back to the scout Bellingham we don't need your style of play yet is taking us back 🔙 wod