Kylian Mbappé faces race against time for Real Madrid’s Benfica clash | OneFootball

Knee pain puts Champions League night in doubt

Kylian Mbappé faces race against time for Real Madrid’s Benfica clash

Kylian Mbappe is a major doubt for Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Benfica due to ongoing knee pain.

Mbappe fitness concern before key European night

Serious doubts surround the participation of Kylian Mbappe in Real Madrid’s upcoming clash against Benfica in Champions League.

The match is scheduled for Wednesday evening and will decide qualification to the round of 16. Real Madrid hold 1-0 advantage from first leg but uncertainty remains over the availability of their leading scorer.

Knee pain still an issue

According to L’Équipe, citing Spanish sources, Mbappe is still dealing with pain in his left knee. Inside the club, both the medical staff and management believe the time may be right to give the French forward some rest.

The concern is that playing through discomfort could worsen the injury or lead to complications that might sideline him for a longer period.

For that reason, many within the Santiago Bernabeu currently see rest as the safest option despite the importance of the fixture.

Arbeloa delays final decision

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa is not rushing to make final call. After the team’s latest training session, Arbeloa suggested that the decision on Mbappe will be delayed by another 24 hours.

The coaching staff are hoping for signs of improvement that could allow Mbappe to lead the attack against the Portuguese side.