Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa says he is confident star forward Kylian Mbappe will recover in time for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash against Manchester City.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Arbeloa said the French striker is making steady progress after recovering from a knee problem.
“He’s getting better day by day,” Arbeloa said.
“He won’t be there tomorrow, but I’m confident he’ll be on the trip to Manchester.”
Injury keeps Mbappe out of La Liga match
Mbappe will miss Real Madrid’s Elche CF clash in La Liga, as the club continues to manage his recovery.
The forward has been sidelined since suffering a sprain to his left knee in late December and has not featured since withdrawing from Madrid’s squad for the Champions League play-off match against SL Benfica on February 25.
Madrid hold strong advantage
Despite Mbappe’s absence and several other injuries, Real Madrid secured a commanding 3–0 victory in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Midfielder Federico Valverde starred in the match, scoring a hat-trick to give the Spanish giants a comfortable advantage heading into the return leg.
Manchester City will host the second leg next Tuesday, hoping to overturn the deficit and avoid elimination by Madrid for the third consecutive season in European competition.
Key season for Mbappe
Mbappe has been one of Madrid’s standout performers this season, scoring 38 goals in 33 appearances across competitions.
His potential return also comes just before the international break, when France national football team are scheduled to face Brazil national football team and Colombia national football team in pre-World Cup friendly matches in the United States.
