Kylian Mbappe’s injury sidelines him for two matches

Kylian Mbappe will reportedly sit out Real Madrid’s next two matches as he recovers from a knee problem, but the club expects him back soon in their Champions League campaign against Manchester City.

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Mbappe will miss the home clash at the Bernabeu against Manchester City on Wednesday, as well as the weekend La Liga fixture against Elche. Real Madrid remain optimistic that their star forward will be fit in time for the decisive second leg at the Etihad Stadium the following week.

However, the club are said to be ready to take a cautious approach with his fitness. If Madrid suffer a heavy defeat in the first leg, they are unlikely to risk rushing Mbappe back for the return game in England.

This short spell on the sidelines is the latest setback in a season where Mbappe’s availability has been crucial to Real Madrid’s attacking threat in both domestic and European competitions. Even so, internal belief at the club is that protecting him now will pay off later in the campaign, with bigger tests still to come.
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