Uncertainty Surrounds Kylian Mbappé’s Status
Xabi Alonso, head coach of Real Madrid, remains uncertain about the playing status of Kylian Mbappé ahead of their Club World Cup quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund set for Saturday. The French striker is still recuperating from a bout of gastroenteritis that briefly sidelined him in the early stages of the tournament.
Mbappé’s Impactful Return
Despite missing the group stage entirely, Mbappé made an impactful return as a substitute in Real Madrid’s narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus this past Tuesday, where his presence on the field generated considerable enthusiasm from fans, reiterating his international acclaim.
“He’s getting better. He’s been improving over the last three days. Tomorrow morning we will finalize if he will be included in the starting lineup.”
Young Talent Steps Up
During Mbappé’s absence, young talent Gonzalo García stepped up significantly, netting three goals—including the decisive strike against Juventus—and providing an assist. Alonso acknowledged this development, stating,
“I think Garcia and Mbappé could complement each other, and if the situation arises, I won’t overlook that possibility.”
Preparing for Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid is preparing to confront a formidable Borussia Dortmund squad, which has shown robust form after overcoming a spirited comeback attempt by Monterrey to secure a 2-1 victory that advanced them to the quarter-finals. Alonso acknowledged the threat posed by Dortmund, noting,
“They are a very good team. Since Niko Kovac took over as coach, they have been improving significantly. We are anticipating a challenging match tomorrow.”
