Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa stated that Kylian Mbappe will joined the club to play in important games such as Tuesday’s Champions League clash against German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Arbeloa stated that Mbappe was an important member of the club, but questions remain about whether record 15-time winners Madrid can strike the perfect balance with all of their top players on the field at the same time.
Mbappe, the club’s leading striker, did not start either game in Madrid’s spectacular last-16 victory over Manchester City due to a long struggle with a knee sprain.
Arbeloa stated that Mbappe, along with Vinicius Junior, would likely lead the assault at the Santiago Bernabeu against Bayern in the quarter-final first leg.
“I’m delighted to have that kind of problem, to have outstanding players at my disposal and to have a player like Kylian Mbappe, who came to Real Madrid for matches like tomorrow’s and for knockout ties like this one,” Arbeloa told reporters Monday.
“I’m sure we’re going to see Kylian at his best, leading the team the way he’s always known how to do, and I have a great deal of confidence in all the players.”
England international Jude Bellingham is also working his way back to health following an injury, and Arbeloa stated that he will continue to bet on the squad’s stars as they become available.
Young midfielder Thiago Pitarch and attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz were key against City, but they may see less playing time against Bayern.
“It’s clear Mbappe has different characteristics and conditions to those Brahim has, so we have to play differently, but I’m delighted to have this problem,” said Arbeloa.
“Just as you mention, Bellingham and other great players I have available, for me it’s a blessing to be able to count on everyone…” he continued.
“Having a player like Mbappe in the team is an extraordinary stroke of luck. I don’t know if there’s a coach in the world who wouldn’t want to have him.
“I put myself in the shoes of the defenders who play against Real Madrid and have to face Mbappe, Vinicius, Valverde, Bellingham… I think they’re some of the best players on the planet.”
Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior stated he worked well with Mbappe, despite some saying the pairing is not appropriate for Madrid.
“People talk a lot… ‘Kyli’ is here to help us; he’s always given us confidence; he scores the goals for us; we have to be connected tomorrow, above all with the fans and all the players,” he told reporters.
“It’s a difficult game where the best players make the difference, and Kyli is one of those. I have an incredible connection with him, not just on the pitch but off it too.”
Vinicius vowed that Madrid will be at their best against Bayern Munich after a poor showing in La Liga on Saturday, when they lost 2-1 against Mallorca, leaving them seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona.
“There are days when we are more connected or less connected, and that happened against Mallorca,” explained the forward.
“We had come from the international break, and today, as the coach said, if we’re not at 200 percent, we’re not going to win games.
“I hope we are tomorrow, because it’s an important day for us.”
The winger, who has emerged as a key character in the battle against racism, also discussed the Islamophobic chants at Spain’s friendly against Egypt last week, which Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal condemned.
“It’s important that Lamine speaks, and that can help people,” said Vinicius, who claimed he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in a Champions League match in February, which the Argentine denies.
“I’m not saying Spain, Germany, or Portugal are racist countries, but there are racists in these countries, especially in Brazil too; in a lot of countries there are racists.
“But if we continue this fight together, I think that in the future new players don’t have to suffer these things, and above all, people in general too.”
