Real Madrid fans can breathe easy. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are back from injury just in time for the blockbuster Champions League second leg against Manchester City at the Etihad. Interim coach Alvaro Arbeloa named both in his 26-player squad, alongside recovering defenders Alvaro Carreras and David Alaba.
The Spanish giants carry a 3-0 advantage from last week’s first leg, powered by Federico Valverde’s stunning hat-trick before halftime at Bernabeu. Without their key attackers, Madrid still dominated, but now with the duo fit, expectations skyrocket.
Bellingham’s absence stretched over nine games following a hamstring tweak in February’s victory against Rayo Vallecano. Mbappe’s knee woes, dating back to pre-Christmas, saw him rested selectively to preserve fitness. Their recoveries couldn’t come at a better time.
Mbappe’s impact has been electric: 38 goals in 33 Madrid outings, plus eight for France. He’s second only to Harry Kane’s 60 in top European leagues this term, boasting 23 La Liga strikes and 13 Champions League tallies. Bellingham’s midfield dynamism adds another layer.
A City win here would demand at least four goals without reply to advance. Madrid’s reward for progression? A quarterfinal against Atalanta or Bayern Munich winners, starting early April. The road to the May 30 final in Budapest looks promising for Los Blancos.