In a bold move to manage Real Madrid’s congested schedule, Carlo Ancelotti has opted for caution with Kylian Mbappé.
Following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Valencia, Los Blancos face an intense run of matches, including a Spanish Super Cup semi-final and a Copa del Rey tie against Deportivo Minera. To ease the burden, several key players, such as Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rüdiger, were excluded from the matchday squad for the trip to Cartagena.
However, the most notable decision came with Mbappé, who has been a consistent starter when fit this season. For the Copa del Rey clash, Ancelotti chose to leave the French forward on the bench. Despite his crucial role in Madrid’s future, Ancelotti is taking a long-term view, mindful of potential injuries, especially with Vinicius Jr. facing suspension after his red card against Valencia.
This calculated decision underscores Mbappé’s growing importance to the team’s future, as Ancelotti prioritizes preserving the striker for key competitions ahead.
