Real Madrid have received a timely lift ahead of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 second leg after both Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham were named in the travelling squad for Tuesday’s meeting with Manchester City.
Neither player featured in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where Madrid secured a commanding 3-0 victory.
Mbappé had been nursing a problem in his left knee, while Bellingham has spent the past few weeks recovering from a hamstring injury.
Their addition now gives Madrid additional options for the trip to the Etihad Stadium, with the Spanish side already holding a comfortable advantage from the first leg.
It was Federico Valverde who stole the headlines in that match, scoring all three goals as City were swept aside in the Spanish capital. The result has left the English Champions facing a difficult task in the return leg.
City manager Pep Guardiola rotated several players during the weekend’s domestic fixture against West Ham United, mindful of what’s to come for his side in Europe.
Madrid’s travelling party has also been strengthened by the return of left-back Álvaro Carreras. The defender missed the first leg because of a calf problem and has not played in the club’s last three matches, but he is now back in contention.
There is, however, one setback for the visitors. Ferland Mendy, who delivered a strong performance in the first leg, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Mbappé’s return comes after a spell on the sidelines that has kept him out of Madrid’s last five matches. Bellingham has been absent even longer, missing nine games as he worked his way back to full fitness.
His comeback will also be of interest to England national football team supporters. Manager Thomas Tuchel is due to announce his squad later this week ahead of international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Madrid’s focus in the meantime is firmly on Manchester, where they will attempt to drive the final nail into the coffin and secure a place in the quarter-finals.
