 "Madrid coach Alonso provides update on Mbappe ahead of Club World Cup game against Pachuca: 'We're optimistic about...'")
Real Madrid were dealt another blow ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup match against Pachuca with star forward Kylian Mbappe ruled out of the upcoming game in Charlotte after missing the Spanish giants’ opening match of the tournament, against Al-Hilal. Madrid coach Xabi Alonso confirmed Mbappe’s absence on Saturday, two days after the French forward was admitted to a hospital due to a bout of gastroenteritis.
The 26-year-old, who did not travel with the rest of the squad to Charlotte, did not spend much time in hospital and was released shortly after he was admitted.
Mbappe expected to play against Salzburg, says Alonso
Mbappe is improving “bit by bit” a club source told AFP, but he did not fly with his team-mates for Sunday’s match against Mexican side Pachuca.
Real coach Alonso addressed the striker’s condition during his pre-match press conference.
“He’s doing better, he’s back from the hospital and is recovering. We’re optimistic about having him against Salzburg,” he said.
Madrid face Salzburg in the final game of Group H on Thursday in Philadelphia.
The 26-year-old missed the opening game with the same illness as Madrid were held 1-1 by Al-Hilal in Alonso’s debut as coach.
Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia, 21, started in Mbappe’s stead and opened the scoring for Real Madrid against their Saudi Arabian opponents.
Alonso indicated that Gonzalo would again deputise for the Frenchman.
“Gonzalo can do what he did the other day. He scored a goal and had three chances. Looking ahead, we’ll see what happens. Having players with that sense of smell is very important. He did very well,” he said.
Mbappe finished as the European Golden Shoe winner in his first season at Real Madrid with 31 goals in La Liga and 43 across all competitions, but Los Blancos finished the season without a major trophy.
With AFP inputs
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