BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid is hoping Kylian Mbappe He has recovered from a knee problem in time for Sunday’s clash with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
Mbappe absent from Madrid clash 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid However, manager Xabi Alonso said the French striker would travel from Spain to Saudi Arabia, where the Mini Super Cup tournament will be held.
Alonso did not say whether Mbappé would play, but said the team’s top scorer was “much better. He has been training and is feeling good.”
Mbappe, La Liga’s top scorer this season, has missed two games with a sprained left knee.
Also this weekend, the domestic competition will reach its halfway point, with teams not participating in the Spanish Super Cup also competing in the regular round of La Liga.
key match
In La Liga in October, Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 with goals from Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. However, this victory marked the high point of Alonso’s first season. Since then, the rivals’ fortunes have reversed. Amid growing speculation about Alonso’s job security, Barcelona produced yet another impressive performance, overtaking Madrid to take the top spot in the league.
Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 5-0 That was despite star forward Lamine Yamal resting on the bench until the damage was done and playing only the final minutes of Wednesday’s semi-final in Jeddah.
Barcelona defeated Madrid 5-2 in last year’s Spanish Super Cup final, clinching the first of three titles they won before winning the Copa del Rey and La Liga.
This weekend in La Liga, third-placed Villarreal could move into the lead when they host Alaves on Saturday. Villarreal are seven points behind second-placed Madrid and 11 points behind Barcelona, but still have two games in hand.
If fifth-placed Espanyol wins against Levante on Sunday, they can move closer to fourth-placed Atlético and challenge for Champions League qualification.
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If Mbappé plays, he will give Madrid a much-needed punch after struggling against Atlético. Even goalscorer Federico Valverde said Atlético played better.
Yamal is expected to return to Barcelona’s starting lineup in the right-wing position.
However, attacking midfielder Fermin López, who was reportedly close to a move to Chelsea in the summer, could be key for Hansi Flick’s side. Fermin’s energy and hunger for goals make him unique in Barcelona’s skilful team.
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Barcelona are only without midfielder Gabi Paes, while Madrid have been hit by injuries.
Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold are already out injured, and media reports suggest that Antonio Rudiger and fellow centre-back Raul Asensio are doubtful for the final after playing against Atlético.
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