Real Madrid faces Mbappe’s injury suspicion while de Paul identifies where Atletico has to focus
Real Madrid is facing a huge test of visiting derby with Atletico Madrid in the second part of their Champions League last 16, which is one that may have to overcome without Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe was allegedly placed on fitness tests to determine whether he would be able to play metropolitano, a furniture striker who suffered a shot with the right ankle in Laliga’s victory over Ray Vallecano last weekend.
Madrid, who has not yet announced his official play team, led 2-1 with his first leg in the Santiago Bernabeu.
The absence of Mbappe would be a great reinforcement of Atletico, which in September held Madrid on the draw 1-1 in this laligation fixture, grabbing the point thanks to the equalization of Angel Corre from the 95th minute.
But Atletico Rodrigo de Paul’s midfielder is not under the quality of the quality Madrid has at his disposal, and he called on the side of Diego Simeone to maintain an isolated focus as they look to abolish his first leg deficit.
“It’s all fundamentally, even more so for a tie like this,” De Paul Diario AS said.
“The mental part has its relevance, but also tactically, physically … it is expensive, it has nothing to do with only once. We have to be ready in all aspects to achieve what we want, and that is to go.
🙌 It’s day! 🙌
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🏟️ Metropolitano pic.twitter.com/22F2GSUUL– Real Madrid Cf 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadenid) March 12, 2025
“First, first of all, when you face this type of match, you have to enjoy them, because you do not always play them. Realizing that we achieve what we want to be together, it does not depend on the player or on it.
“The games of this size won as a team. After we have experienced other important games, I am convinced that this is a team in which we all feel important, in 90 minutes we need us all, we are dedicated to the cause. And it can be a great night for all athleticos.
“Real Madrid have all the highest level players, which is why you have concentration and concern about playing against them. [Jude] Bellingham has different characteristics, can play and [Luka] Modric, [Aurelien] Tchouumen also.
“They have different characteristics, but they play on a very high level. I don’t look so much who is ahead of me, because they are great, as I do in what I have to do.”
De Paul suffered a knock because Atletico beat Getfe over the weekend to bypass the point behind Barcelona and Madrid in an extremely close race with the title Laligue.
But he said of his physical condition: “I feel very good, it was a blow and that was just that. Nothing else.”
