Kylian Mbappe, who missed training on Tuesday due to illness, is doubt for Real Madrid’s opening Club World Cup game against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.
With newly-appointed manager Xabi Alonso making his debut in the dugout for Wednesday’s game, the club announced that Mbappe had been having a fever and that a decision on his participation would be made in the morning.
We felt it would be best for Kylian to skip training because he was a little better this morning, but he wasn’t fully fit. On the eve of the clash at Hard Rock Stadium, Alonso stated in a press conference that “let’s see how it evolves,” and that we will make a last-minute decision.
Alonso may have to choose between Mbappe because he is currently the only recognized center-forward in the squad due to his potential absence.
Endrick, a teenager from Brazil, was substituted after suffering a leg muscle injury last month during Real’s La Liga game against Sevilla. He could have offered an alternative.
Since joining Real Madrid in a high-profile summer move from Paris St Germain, Mbappe has scored 31 La Liga goals this season.
Alonso insisted that his team would need to press “like a unit” despite Mbappe’s potential absence.
“Defensive work is crucial. The Spaniard said that it is one of the things we need to do in the short and long term, which will be crucial to our success.
Real Madrid, who has won five of the last ten Champions League titles, is considered to be one of the favorites to win the tournament. They have dominated European football for the past ten years.
Al Hilal will exploit any weaknesses in Madrid’s lineup to strengthen their position in the AFC Champions League in 2021.
Source: Aljazeera
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