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Kylian Mbappe ruled out of El Clasico vs Barcelona, Real Madrid face key clash amidst dressing room unrest and scrutiny over the star forward’s injury layoff.
Kylian Mbappe has suffered a thigh injury (Picture credit: AP)
Star French and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe didn’t find a place in the latter’s squad, which is all set to take on arch-rivals Barcelona in the much-awaited El Clásico on Sunday, May 10.
Mbappe is yet to recover from a left leg muscle injury, prompting Real Madrid to avoid risking him, with their title hopes all but over.
Mbappé’s absence follows controversy surrounding his trips to Italy and France during his time off while recovering from an injury.
It is a significant setback for Real Madrid, as Mbappé averages a goal every 67 minutes against Barcelona. But he didn’t complete Saturday’s training session at Valdebebas and failed Sunday’s fitness test.
Mbappé’s absence has come at a turbulent time for Real Madrid, with reports of an unsettled dressing room. The team has been shaken by an alleged violent clash in training between Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which left the Uruguayan midfielder hospitalised, according to reports.
The internal unrest has added to an already tense atmosphere at the club, overshadowing preparations for one of the most high-profile fixtures in world football.
With Mbappé unavailable, Álvaro Arbeloa is left with a significant selection dilemma. Backup striker Gonzalo García could be handed a start, though the manager may also opt to deploy Vinícius Júnior and Brahim Díaz in advanced roles to lead the attack.
The approach would mirror the tactical setup Arbeloa used in the two Champions League games against Manchester City, where he favoured attacking fluidity over relying on a traditional focal point up front.
Furthermore, Mbappé has come under intense scrutiny from sections of the Madrid fanbase. Supporters were angered after he was seen on holiday while recovering from injury, according to reports, sparking widespread backlash online.
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