Real Madrid will face Manchester City again in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, and before this clash, the "royal club" suffered a serious loss. According to reports in the Spanish press, the team's leading striker, Kylian Mbappé, will miss the first leg due to a knee problem.
The match between these two giants was already in the spotlight. This is because Real Madrid and City have been clashing frequently in the European arena in recent years, and this time too, their match has become one of the biggest posters of the competition. The first match is expected to take place on March 11th at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Currently, the biggest problem for Real Madrid is Mbappé's absence. Reports suggest the French striker could be sidelined for several weeks. Therefore, there is a high probability that he will miss not only the first match against Manchester City but also the upcoming domestic league matches. The injury will undoubtedly significantly impact Real Madrid's attack.
According to several sources citing Spain's Cadena SER, Mbappé may need approximately three weeks to recover. Therefore, Real Madrid's staff hopes to bring him back to action before the second leg on March 17th. That is, the Madrid team is currently focused more on preparing the French star for the second match rather than the first.
This situation is not a simple staffing problem for Real Madrid. Because Mbappe is one of the team's most decisive figures in attack. Factors such as his speed, dominance in single combat, and scoring potential could have been very useful against a strong opponent like City. Now, the "royal club" will have to rely on other options in the first leg.
At the same time, there is no complete depression in Madrid. According to the latest reports, Rodrigo's return to the squad could provide some relief for Real Madrid. This, of course, doesn't fully compensate for Mbappé's absence, but it can increase the number of options in attack.
In short, the intrigue intensified before the Real Madrid vs. Manchester City match. On one side - a great opportunity for Guardiola's team, on the other - Madrid, which won't give up fighting without Mbappe. Fans are now left with one question: how will Real Madrid respond in the first match without one of their biggest weapons?
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