Mbappé and Bellingham boost Real Madrid for Manchester City showdown
Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham are set to return for Real Madrid in their crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Both players had been sidelined with injuries, raising concerns about Madrid’s attacking strength. Their comeback provides a significant lift for manager Alvaro Arbeloa as his team looks to defend their first-leg advantage. Manchester City faces a challenging task to overturn the deficit in this high-stakes encounter.
Match highlights
- Kylian Mbappé, 27, returns after being out since February 21 with a left knee sprain suffered against Osasuna.
- Jude Bellingham, 22, has been sidelined since 1 February due to a hamstring injury picked up in a league game against Rayo Vallecano.
- Real Madrid holds a 3-0 lead from the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
- Federico Valverde scored a first-half hat-trick in the first leg, while Gianluigi Donnarumma saved a penalty from Vinicius Jr.
- The return of Mbappé and Bellingham boosts Madrid’s confidence as they aim for a quarter-final spot.
