Manager backs Mbappe and Bellingham to help the team overpower Bayern Munich
Alvaro Arbeloa has dismissed concerns that Kylian Mbappe’s return has disrupted Real Madrid, insisting the forward’s availability is a major boost ahead of their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Mbappe recently returned from a knee injury and started in Madrid’s match against Mallorca last weekend, but they lost 2-1 and dropped to seven points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
The team had performed strongly during his absence, winning five consecutive matches with a 4-4-2 system that saw Brahim Diaz partner Vinicius Junior in attack.
“Mbappe has different characteristics to Brahim, and that’s where we have to play in a different way, but I’m delighted to have that problem,” Arbeloa said. “Mbappe came to Madrid for games like tomorrow [against Bayern] and ties like this. I’m sure we’ll see Kylian at his best level.”
The France international has scored 13 goals in nine Champions League appearances this season, although he had only a cameo in the last-16 against Manchester City.
“The only thing that matters is what I think, which is that we’re extraordinarily lucky to have Mbappe back in the team,” Arbeloa said. “There isn’t a coach in the world that wouldn’t want him in their team.
“Mbappe knows perfectly well what Real Madrid is. He dreamt about being a Real Madrid player. I’d like you to ask me [about him] again after the Bayern tie.”
Arbeloa also confirmed that Jude Bellingham is ready to feature after recovering from a hamstring injury, having recently appeared off the bench against Atletico Madrid and Mallorca.
“With Bellingham on the field we’re a better team, I’m sure of that,” Arbeloa said. “We’ll see him on the pitch tomorrow. He has different qualities to the rest, and we have to adapt to him, and him to his teammates. That’s what football is about. It’s a nice problem to have.”
