Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid will face FC Barcelona in El Clásico without star forward Kylian Mbappe due to a lingering muscle injury in his left leg. Mbappe’s absence poses a significant challenge for Madrid as they approach a crucial match that could potentially hand Barcelona the La Liga title. With an 11-point lead over their rivals, a draw for Hansi Flick’s team at Camp Nou would secure the championship with four games left in the season.
Despite efforts to regain fitness, Mbappe was unable to participate in Saturday’s training session at Valdebebas and subsequently failed a final fitness check on Sunday morning. Madrid opted to prioritize Mbappe’s recovery over risking further injury, especially considering their dwindling title aspirations. Known for his impact in Clásico games, Mbappe’s absence deprives Madrid of his scoring prowess and dynamic play that could have influenced the outcome.
Real Madrid will, however, welcome back goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from injury, who is set to start at Camp Nou. The team faces internal challenges as reports surfaced of a recent altercation involving midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following a series of disappointing results. Valverde reportedly sustained head trauma and required stitches, with both players receiving substantial fines from the club. This incident has fueled speculation about rifts within the squad and raised questions about coach Alvaro Arbeloa’s future.
