Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has fueled speculation about the availability of his star player Kylian Mbappe for the upcoming Champions League playoff first leg against Benfica. Arbeloa declined to confirm whether the French striker would start the match, leaving all possibilities open ahead of the crucial encounter in Lisbon.
During the pre-match press conference, Arbeloa responded with a smile to journalists' persistent questions about Mbappé, saying, "He traveled with us and will train. You'll find out during the match whether he plays or not." This statement adds further intrigue to the upcoming game, especially since Arbeloa had previously announced that the striker would be fit after resting him in the last league match against Real Sociedad, which ended in a resounding 4-1 victory for Real Madrid.
Background of the injury and the decision to take the risk
The Spanish coach explained that Mbappé has been dealing with minor knee pain for some time, noting that the coaching staff decided not to risk him to ensure his safety and full readiness for the upcoming stages of the season. He said: “Kylian is fine. As you know, he has been dealing with this minor knee pain for a while. He puts in a lot of effort whenever he plays, and we decided not to take any risks so that he would be ready for Tuesday’s match.” The French striker had undergone a special physical program last week to recover from a recent sprain in his left knee, but he returned to participate in group training normally, which only added to the confusion among observers.
Mbappe's importance and impact on Real Madrid's ambitions
Mbappé's availability is of paramount importance to Real Madrid. The French star, who joined the team in a record-breaking transfer, has been the team's usual savior this season, scoring 38 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions. The Real Madrid faithful are pinning their hopes on the French captain to lead the team to their 15th Champions League title. Any potential absence of his in a knockout match of this magnitude would be a significant blow to the team's ambitions, not only domestically in Spain but also on the European stage, where the world is watching the performance of the most decorated club in the competition's history.
Player statements and fighting spirit
For his part, French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga reflected the high morale within the team, emphasizing that Real Madrid is seeking revenge and a positive result. Camavinga told reporters, “I think we need to change our mentality compared to the league match. We are better now in that respect, and we have to attack and defend together.” He added enthusiastically, “We want to play a great game because losing a match like that was difficult for our fans… We want to win tomorrow with a spirit of revenge.” These statements demonstrate the players' focus on overcoming Benfica, led by veteran coach José Mourinho, who has a long-standing relationship with Real Madrid, adding another dimension to the encounter.
