Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has said Kylian Mbappe was brought to the club to deliver in high-stakes matches such as Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich.
Gatekeepers News reports that Arbeloa described Mbappe as a key figure in the squad, even as questions linger over how Madrid can balance their array of attacking stars on the pitch.
The French forward, Madrid’s top scorer this season, missed the starting line-up in both legs of the last-16 tie against Manchester City due to a knee sprain, although Los Blancos progressed comfortably.
Now fully fit, Mbappe is expected to feature alongside Vinicius Junior in attack when Madrid host Bayern at the Santiago Bernabéu 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 said.
“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.”
Midfielder Jude Bellingham is also nearing full fitness, with Arbeloa indicating he would continue to rely on his top players as they return.
Young talents such as Thiago Pitarch and Brahim Diaz impressed against City but could see reduced roles against Bayern as senior stars return.
“It’s clear Mbappe has different characteristics and conditions to those Brahim has, so we have to play in a different way, but I’m delighted to have this problem,” Arbeloa added.
“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.”
‘Incredible’ connection
Vinicius said he has built strong chemistry with Mbappe, dismissing suggestions that the duo cannot thrive together.
“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 said.
“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.”
The Brazilian also vowed Madrid would respond strongly after a disappointing 2-1 La Liga defeat to Mallorca, which left them seven points behind leaders Barcelona.
“There are days where we are more connected or less connected, and that happened against Mallorca,” Vinicius said.
“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.”
Vinicius also addressed recent concerns over discrimination in football, backing Lamine Yamal for speaking out against Islamophobic chanting during Spain’s friendly against Egypt national football team.
“It’s important that Lamine speaks and that can help people,” he said.
“I’m not saying Spain, Germany or Portugal are racist countries, but there are racists in these countries… If we continue this fight together, I think that in the future new players don’t have to suffer these things.”
