Xabi Alonso gives Kylian Mbappe update amid injection talk – ‘We’ll evaluate the risk, but we’re not kamikaze’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso did not rule out a pain-killing injection for star forward Kylian Mbappe ahead of the Spanish Supercup final against Barcelona. The French forward is struggling to be back in time due to a knee injury suffered before the turn of the year.

Mbappe, who is responsible for more than half of Real Madrid’s goals this season, was managing knee pain from early December, but twisted it in training. He was initially set to be ruled out for the Supercup, but on Friday flew out to join his teammates.

“He’s much better, Alonso remarked. “The initial idea was that he was just fit to play against Atlético, so we decided not to rush him, but if we reached the final, depending on how he felt, he would come. When he trains today, we’ll have all the information we need to assess him and see if he’s ready to start or play a little less.”

He was also asked if Real Madrid would consider Mbappe playing through a pain-killing injection.

“We have to measure the risk. Know what’s at stake and take responsibility for the decisions. We’re not kamikazes when it comes to making decisions. It’s a controlled risk.”

Real Madrid’s gameplan for Barcelona

The previous meeting between the two saw Real Madrid run out 2-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu. Alonso said he wouldn’t necessarily be using the exact same game plan though.

“The response is similar to before the Atleti match. The Wanda match wasn’t a reference point, but we haven’t forgotten it. Now, it’s the same. The context might be different. Tomorrow’s match will have moments for everything. Feeling confident and having the necessary energy will be very important.”

Image via Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Real Madrid’s fitness problems

Los Blancos are dealing a number of injuries again this season, which has seen former team doctor Niko Mihic brought back to the club. There has been talk former fitness coach Antonio Pintus could return to a bigger role too, but Alonso noted that bout of fitness issues was not changing their overall plan.

“We don’t plan based on peaks or troughs. We aim to be at our best throughout the entire season. Injuries mean that the workload varies, and some players are more stressed in this regard. Pintus is part of that; there’s excellent collaboration.”

Image via Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Alonso’s relationship with the players

One thing that does seem to have improved of late at Real Madrid is Alonso’s relationship with the players.

“Projects evolve over time. We’ve been here for just over four months. We’re evolving in terms of our football, our emotions, and the team spirit. We feel connected to the players. These matches can have a big impact on what’s to come. The players are committed to the moment we’re in and what’s ahead. It won’t be decisive, but it will be important.”

Los Blancos head into the Supercup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with some media reporting Alonso must secure a positive result in order to retain his job. Real Madrid lie four points behind Barcelona in La Liga currently.