Real Madrid fans are eagerly awaiting the possible return of their star striker, Kylian Mbappe, for the crucial Champions League clash against Lille on Wednesday. Mbappe, who joined the Spanish giants from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, has been sidelined with a muscle injury sustained during the La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves. The French captain missed the subsequent draw against Atletico Madrid, but manager Carlo Ancelotti hinted at a late decision on his participation in the Lille game.
Ancelotti provided an update on Mbappe’s recovery, stating, “Mbappe has recovered very well, very quickly.” He added that the French forward trained on Tuesday and will participate in the full training session on Wednesday. The manager emphasized, “We’ll make the decision together because the last thing we want to do is take risks.” Mbappe’s eagerness to play is evident, but Ancelotti stressed that his inclusion in the starting lineup depends on his fitness and the assessment of potential risks.
While Real Madrid’s focus remains on the Champions League fixture, the recent heated derby against Atletico Madrid continues to spark discussions. On Monday, Atletico permanently banned a fan for throwing an object onto the pitch during the match. The derby was temporarily halted due to aggressive behavior from home fans towards Real Madrid players who celebrated their opening goal.
Ancelotti condemned the violence, stating, “The point is that violent people are not allowed in football. Not at Atletico, but on any pitch. Football doesn’t need them.” He stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for players and fans alike, asserting, “Let them stay somewhere else, somewhere that is not dangerous. I’m talking in general. Whether it’s a violent person from Madrid, Barca, Atleti, Villarreal, it doesn’t matter. Let the violent ones leave us in peace.”
Real Madrid currently sits second in the La Liga standings, trailing rivals Barcelona by three points after eight matches. While Ancelotti acknowledges their strong performance, he recognizes the need for improvement, particularly against Lille, a team known for their possession-based style and talented young players. “We have to get points, taking into account the value of the opponent. They are a team that plays very well. They like to play with the ball, they have young players with quality,” Ancelotti remarked. “Every match has to be fought. That’s why we’re here. We are doing well. We are convinced we can improve. We are ready. There are a lot of games, but we are pretty good.” With a busy schedule ahead, Real Madrid is determined to secure a positive result in the upcoming encounter and maintain their strong position in the league.
