Real Madrid has sought to alleviate concerns over Kylian Mbappe’s fitness ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League play-off against Benfica in Lisbon.
Mbappe was an unused substitute in Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga win against Real Sociedad on Saturday, raising questions about his availability for the key European game.
The French striker, who has 23 league goals this season, was resting as a precaution.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa explained that the decision was preventative rather than mandatory.
“Mbappe is doing very well. He has been dealing with small discomfort for some time and has been making efforts to play, so today we didn’t want to take risks ahead of Tuesday’s match,” Arbeloa said.
Mbappe subsequently trained on Sunday, indicating that the club expects him to be available for the opening leg in Portugal.
The match reignites a recent rivalry, following Benfica’s 4-2 group-stage victory over Madrid at the Estadio da Luz.
Mbappe scored both goals for Los Blancos that night, but late drama, including a stoppage-time header from custodian Anatoliy Trubin, let Benfica advance and knocked Madrid out of the top eight.
Madrid will, however, be without Jude Bellingham, who is out with a hamstring injury, and Eder Militao remains unavailable.
Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are suspended after receiving red cards in the last meeting.
Saturday’s league win offered momentum. Gonzalo Garcia opened the scoring before Vinicius Junior netted twice, with Federico Valverde also on target as Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga.
Reflecting on the performance, Arbeloa said: “Today we did play a great game defensively, but in the first half we also saw a team in the opponent’s half that was looser, with greater mobility, capable of turning the ball faster.”
On Vinicius, he added: “I’ve been watching a great Vinicius for a month, not just this game. He has been playing games of a very high level, being unbalanced.”
With Mbappe expected to lead the line, Madrid head to Lisbon seeking immediate revenge and a place in the last 16.
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