Real Madrid given hope with Mbappé

Real Madrid trained on Wednesday at their state-of-the-art complex amid major uncertainty in defence ahead of Friday’s trip to face Celta Vigo at Balaídos. They will be without the suspended Huijsen, Mastantuono and Carreras, as well as Mbappé, Bellingham, Militao, Rodrygo and Ceballos.

Alaba, Camavinga and Asensio are also doubts. Questions remain, although there is slightly more clarity regarding the looming Champions League round of 16 tie against Manchester City on 11 and 17 March.

Kylian Mbappé, who is recovering from a knee sprain, initially appeared ruled out of the first leg. However, according to club sources, the situation is not entirely clear. The French forward is in Paris working against the clock with the club’s medical staff after undergoing tests to confirm the initial diagnosis. His availability remains unlikely, but he recognises the importance of next Wednesday’s match at the Bernabéu against Manchester City and hopes to be involved, even if only as an emergency option on the bench.

That is Arbeloa’s major concern, although his immediate focus must be Friday’s match in Vigo. Failure to win would leave Madrid’s league title hopes hanging by a thread. For that fixture, assembling a defence could prove extremely difficult. Huijsen and Carreras are suspended, Militao is injured, and Alaba is struggling with muscle discomfort that makes him a serious doubt for Balaídos.

As things stand, Madrid are left with Rüdiger and Asensio as their only available centre-backs for the trip to Vigo. The German completed specific injury prevention work but is expected to be fully fit. The Canary Islander trained for most of the session with the group and is likely to be available after recovering from the cervical contusion he suffered against Benfica.

Camavinga is also a doubt for the Celta match due to a painful dental infection. He is waiting for the swelling to subside before undergoing surgery to resolve the issue. The club hopes he will train on Thursday, although there are no guarantees. Finally, Rodrygo is continuing rehabilitation and conditioning work on his knee and is awaiting surgery, with no date yet scheduled, after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus in his right knee.

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