Overview
- Real Madrid included Kylian Mbappé in the squad but did not use him in the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City at the Bernabéu.
- Club and media reports cite muscle or knee discomfort alongside a recently fractured finger, and Mbappé trained separately before the match.
- Alonso said it was too early to know if Mbappé will be ready for Sunday at Alavés, explaining the forward was clearly not fit to play against City.
- Mbappé did not warm up with the substitutes and was seen talking to the fourth official after Madrid contested a possible foul on Antonio Rüdiger.
- Erling Haaland said Mbappé’s absence offered City a slight psychological boost, as Madrid’s patchy run — two wins in eight — increases scrutiny on Alonso despite Mbappé’s 25-goal season.