News Focus
- Kylian Mbappe has missed the last ten days with a muscle injury sustained against Real Betis
- The forward will return to Valdebebas within 48 hours for fresh medical examinations
- Real Madrid must defeat Barcelona to prevent their rivals from winning the La Liga title
- Eder Militao and Arda Guler are already ruled out of the crucial Camp Nou clash
- The upcoming World Cup this summer means Mbappe cannot afford to take risks with his recovery
Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 victory away at Espanyol on Sunday, but their chances of catching Barcelona at the top of La Liga remain slim. The defending champions sit 11 points behind their rivals with only four fixtures left this season.
The title race will end this weekend if Los Blancos fail to win at the Spotify Camp Nou. Barcelona could secure the championship with a victory. Real Madrid have struggled in this fixture recently, losing five of the last six meetings.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces a growing injury list. Centre-back Eder Militao and midfielder Arda Guler will both miss the trip to Catalonia. The absence of these key players makes the task even harder for the visitors.
The biggest concern surrounds Kylian Mbappe. The French international left the pitch early during the match against Real Betis over a week ago. He did not feature in the squad for the Espanyol win as a precaution.
Mbappe is currently on a short break. He is scheduled to report back to the training centre at Valdebebas within the next two days. Medical staff will then conduct further tests to assess his condition. These results will determine whether he can play any part in Sunday’s showdown.
The striker has battled several fitness problems during the past six months. Both the player and the club want to avoid aggravating the issue. With the World Cup taking place this summer, rushing back too soon could endanger his participation in the global tournament.
Supporters must now wait for the medical team to give the green light. Real Madrid need their star attacker fully fit for the most important match of their campaign.