By Ayomide Otititoju
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has expressed confidence in Kylian Mbappe ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against Bayern Munich, stating that the French forward was signed for decisive matches of such magnitude.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Arbeloa described Mbappe as a key figure in the squad, noting that the club’s depth presents a “welcome challenge” in balancing multiple top players. The forward, who recently returned to fitness after a knee injury, is expected to feature alongside Vinicius Junior in attack at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Mbappe, Madrid’s leading scorer, missed both legs of the round of 16 tie against Manchester City due to injury but is now available for selection. Arbeloa said he expects the forward to perform at his best and lead the team in the high-stakes encounter.
The coach also highlighted the return to fitness of Jude Bellingham, adding that having a full squad provides tactical flexibility despite competition for starting spots.
Vinicius Jr., meanwhile, dismissed concerns about his on-field partnership with Mbappe, insisting the duo share strong chemistry. He emphasised the need for unity and focus against Bayern, particularly after Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Mallorca in La Liga, which left them trailing leaders FC Barcelona by seven points.
The Brazilian winger also addressed recent incidents of discriminatory chanting in football, supporting calls for collective action to combat racism and other forms of abuse across the sport.
