Manager says forward “is fine to play” and shrugs off talk about future
Kylian Mbappe is available for Real Madrid’s La Liga trip to Alaves on Sunday, head coach Xabi Alonso has said.
Mbappe missed Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City with a minor injury but has now recovered and was included in the travelling squad. Madrid have been stretched by injuries, and they missed Mbappe’s abilities up front against City.
“He is fine to play, we’ve got him back,” Alonso said. “We’ll decide [on Sunday]. That’s obviously good news.”
Madrid will be without Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Carvajal and Eduardo Camavinga through injury, while Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia are suspended after both were sent off in last weekend’s loss to Celta Vigo.
Centre-back Dean Huijsen is back in contention, leaving Alonso with just three recognised first-team defenders, the other two being Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio.
“Despite the absences, we have strengths and a squad large enough to field eleven Madrid players who will give their all,” Alonso said. “The desire, the commitment to win will be there. It’s an important match.”
The pressure on Alonso has increased after Madrid managed just one win in their last five league games and were whistled off the pitch at the Bernabeu following the City defeat. They start the weekend four points behind leaders Barcelona.
Reports this week said club executives have held discussions about Alonso’s future, but the Spaniard brushed the speculation aside.
“I’ll focus on turning the situation around,” said Alonso. “It’s not something that surprises me too much.”
