Kylian Mbappe is only fit for a substitute role as Real Madrid host Manchester City, with coach Xabi Alonso’s future reportedly on the line
REAL MADRID striker Kylian Mbappe was named among the substitutes for his team’s Champions League clash against Manchester City on Wednesday.
The French forward missed training on Tuesday with a broken finger and other discomfort, the club confirmed.
Coach Xabi Alonso selected 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia to start in Mbappe’s place at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham provided the attacking support behind Garcia.
Spanish media reports suggest Alonso’s future is at stake, with the coach facing the sack if his team lose against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Real Madrid have won just two of their last seven matches across all competitions.
Their form includes a 2-0 defeat in La Liga on Sunday by Celta Vigo, which left them four points behind leaders Barcelona.
Mbappe, 26, is the team’s top scorer this season with 25 goals in 21 games. – AFP
