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.
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.
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