Alonso Says Mbappe Will Be Ready for Match Against Man City

Kylian Mbappe will not play in Real Madrid’s final Club World Cup group game against RB Salzburg, as he is still recovering from illness. However, coach Xabi Alonso said on Wednesday that Mbappe should be ready for the knockout stage if the team qualifies — with a possible match against Manchester City ahead.

Mbappe returned to training earlier in the day after missing time due to a stomach illness (acute gastroenteritis). But Alonso explained that the decision was made to let him rest instead of rushing him back for Thursday’s game.

“It was his first day wearing boots again and doing some light running, and he looked good,” Alonso said during a press conference at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. “But he’s not fully recovered yet.

“We talked after training, and he agreed it’s better to rest and focus on getting fully fit. If we move into the round of 16, he’ll be ready to play. Right now, he’s still in the recovery stage and not in perfect shape for tomorrow’s match.”

Mbappe was treated in a Miami hospital last week and missed two recent matches for Real Madrid — a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal and a 3-1 win over Pachuca, even though Real played most of that game with only 10 players.

Real Madrid are now leading Group H with four points, just ahead of Salzburg on goal difference. Al-Hilal has two points, and Pachuca is yet to earn any.

Real Madrid’s new coach, Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after he left to coach Brazil, said the team has two main goals for their next match on Thursday.

“First, we want to win and finish top of the group. Second, we want to keep improving as a team before the knockout rounds,” Alonso said.

Even though Manchester City might be their next opponent in the round of 16, Alonso said they are not thinking too far ahead.

“It’s not smart to think about the math tomorrow,” he said. “Our focus is on finishing first and giving everything we have. We are playing to win.”