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Mbappe & Bellingham Fit for Madrid's Decisive Champions League Clash vs Man City

Real Madrid have received a significant boost with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham declared fit for their Champions League second leg against Manchester City. Madrid take a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead into the match at the Etihad Stadium. Mbappe has been managing a knee issue, while Bellingham returns after missing nine games with a hamstring injury. The winner of this tie will face either Atalanta or Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.

Key Points: Mbappe, Bellingham Back for Real Madrid vs Man City UCL Clash

  • Mbappe & Bellingham return from injury
  • Madrid hold 3-0 lead from first leg
  • Crucial UCL Round of 16 second leg at Etihad
  • Harry Kane leads Europe in goals
2 min read

Champions League: Mbappe, Bellingham back for Madrid ahead of Man City clash

Real Madrid get double injury boost as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham are fit for the crucial Champions League second leg against Manchester City.

"Coach Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that their top goal-scorer, Kylian Mbappe, along with Jude Bellingham, are declared fit - Team Announcement"

Madrid, March 16

Fifteen-time UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid, have been provided a double injury boost ahead of their highly anticipated Round of 16 second leg clash against the 2023 champions, Manchester City. Coach Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed that their top goal-scorer, Kylian Mbappe, along with Jude Bellingham, are declared fit and included in the 26-man squad for Tuesday's match to be played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Madrid take a 3-0 lead into the match against City after last week's first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Federico Valverde scored a first-half hat trick.

Neither Mbappe nor Bellingham featured in that game due to injury. Left-back Alvaro Carreras and central defender David Alaba also missed the match with calf problems, but both players have been named in the travelling squad.

Bellingham has missed Madrid's last nine games after suffering a hamstring injury early in a 2-1 home win over Rayo Vallecano at the start of February.

Mbappe has been dealing with discomfort in his left knee since before Christmas. Madrid have tried to manage the issue by resting him in selected games, including the defeat to Manchester City in December, the Spanish Super Cup semifinal, and last month's LaLiga win over Real Sociedad.

Mbappe has scored 38 goals in 33 games for Real Madrid and another eight goals for France. Only Bayern Munich's Harry Kane has scored more goals for club and country in one of Europe's top leagues this season (60).

He has scored 23 goals in La Liga and 13 in the Champions League this season.

If Manchester City win the second leg and advance to the next round, the team managed by Arbeloa would face the winner of Atalanta-Bayern in the quarterfinals.

The first leg will be played on April 7 or 8, and the return leg on April 14 or 15. The semifinals are scheduled for April 28 or 29 and May 5 or 6. The final will take place on May 30 at the Puskás Arena in Budapest.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a neutral fan in India, I just want to see a great match. Mbappe's stats are insane – 38 goals already! But City at home are a different beast. This second leg could be a classic, even with the aggregate lead.
A
Ananya R
Honestly, I feel for City fans. Coming back from 3-0 down against a fully fit Madrid seems nearly impossible. Valverde's hat-trick in the first leg was the real decider. The tie is over, in my opinion.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, the article focuses too much on Madrid. What about City's injury news? A fit Kevin De Bruyne is just as important. The narrative is one-sided. A full squad analysis for both teams would be better.
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Karthik V
The timing is perfect for Madrid. Getting your star players back for a UCL knockout game is priceless. Hope they stay fit for the rest of the season. La Liga and Champions League double is on! 🤞
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James A
Bellingham's return is crucial for midfield control. He's been missed. But let's see if they are truly match-fit or just rushed back. Sometimes that backfires. Exciting times for football fans everywhere!

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