Real Madrid talisman played through injury to lead UCL charge against Atletico
Real Madrid’s win over Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League was one of the team’s most important results of the season, but it came at a serious price.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men, after all, were forced to play 120 minutes to break through Los Rojiblancos’ resistance on the night and eventually got their break only in the penalty shootout. Fatigue, needless to say, looms large.
Several players are battling for fitness ahead of today’s clash against Villarreal with Ferland Mendy injured and the likes of Raul Asencio, Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and Antonio Rudiger all on that list. Also joining them is a certain Kylian Mbappe.
A worrying situation
As relayed by AS in a recent report, Mbappe played the derby despite not being at his 100% physically and the game has thus taken a toll on him.
The player, who rushed back from his injury for the Champions League night, was not even in a position to take a penalty and needed some exclusive time with a physiotherapist after full-time to ensure he could step up and deliver.
Heading into tonight’s clash, Mbappe’s availability is under a massive cloud of doubt and it is safe to say that the management will likely not risk him if he is facing even a remote chance of a relapse.
This comes as a massive blow for Carlo Ancelotti who may well be thrown into the deep end with several players unavailable, likely including Mbappe.
The Estadi de La Ceramica, where Los Blancos are set to play tonight, has not been an easy hunting ground for them in recent seasons as they have won just one game at the venue since 2017, even that in the Copa del Rey.
Mbappe’s absence for such a big game, needless to say, would be a shame and the manager will hope the player feels fit enough to lead the attack tonight.
-
120 touches, 13/18 duels: Real Madrid midfielder puts on a gritty display against Atletico Madrid in the UCL
Real Madrid qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after securing victory on penalties against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.Madrid’s 2-1 lead o...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Real Madrid midfielder puts in an encouraging performance against Atletico Madrid to correct his recent erratic course
Real Madrid paved their way to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after having to endure 210 minutes of gruelling play and a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out against Atletico Madrid in ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Atletico Madrid 1 (2) – 0 (4) Real Madrid: Match review
Real Madrid secured a spot in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League, thanks to a win over Atletico Madrid in a penalty shootout following the conclusion of their second leg meeting in the ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
UEFA Champions League round of 16 schedule, storylines: How to watch UCL on Paramount+
Real Madrid and Barcelona boast one-goal leads in their respective ties against Atletico Madrid and BenficaCBS Sports - Mar. 9 -
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid how to watch, odds, start time: Champions League Round of 16 picks, prediction
Jon Eimer locked in his best bets for Wednesday's Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid UEFA Champions League match in the Round of 16 on Paramount+CBS Sports - 4d -
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid live stream, lineups: Where to watch UEFA Champions League, odds, pick, time
Real Madrid won the first leg 2-1CBS Sports - 4d -
The result of Madrid derby sends Atletico or Real likely to face Arsenal in Champions League
Atletico has to overcome a one-goal deficit to eliminate bitter rival Real in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie to maintain chance of winning Europe's biggest prizeABC News - 4d -
Real Madrid outraged with La Liga over match scheduling, will turn to FIFA for resolution
Real Madrid are facing Villarreal in La Liga this evening at 18:30 (CET) after a gruelling battle against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night in the UEFA Champions League.The match between the two ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Just in: Real Madrid megastar a serious doubt vs Villarreal after missing training
Real Madrid are set to take on Villarreal on Saturday in their final La Liga fixture before the first international break of 2025.Having just about survived against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA ...Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins reportedly both agree to contract extensions with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached contract extensions with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to multiple reports.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Steelers agree to sign DL Daniel Ekuale
The Steelers are kicking off the week by making an addition to their defensive line.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Son of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will play international soccer. But not for England
The son of former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has been called up for international duty — by Malta. James Carragher, a defender for Wigan in English soccer’s third tier, ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Between the Columns for Monday, March 17
Today will mostly be NCAA Tournament thoughts since we finally know where the Tigers are headed. The Tigers are headed to Wichita for a matchup with the Drake Bulldogs on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. My ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva leading contenders if Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou
Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva will be among the leading candidates to succeed Ange Postecoglou if Tottenham Hotspur feel forced into changing the club’s head coach.Yahoo Sports - 12m
More in Sports
-
WNBA trade grades: Did the defending champion Liberty get even better in trade for Cloud?
Natasha Cloud gives New York another skilled distributor and a stronger defense, while Connecticut gains two first-round picks to help its rebuild.ESPN - 5m -
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins reportedly both agree to contract extensions with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached contract extensions with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to multiple reports.Yahoo Sports - 7m -
Steelers agree to sign DL Daniel Ekuale
The Steelers are kicking off the week by making an addition to their defensive line.Yahoo Sports - 9m -
Son of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will play international soccer. But not for England
The son of former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has been called up for international duty — by Malta. James Carragher, a defender for Wigan in English soccer’s third tier, ...Yahoo Sports - 10m -
Between the Columns for Monday, March 17
Today will mostly be NCAA Tournament thoughts since we finally know where the Tigers are headed. The Tigers are headed to Wichita for a matchup with the Drake Bulldogs on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. My ...Yahoo Sports - 10m