UCL: Kylian Mbappe Returns - Real Madrid Eye City Exit
Real Madrid face Manchester City with Kylian Mbappe returns as Real Madrid look to eliminate City in Champions League.
Can Rudiger stop Haaland? Real Madrid's path to victory...
Kylian Mbappe is set to return from his knee injury and face Manchester City in the Champions League last-16 second leg tonight. Mbappe missed Real Madrid's 3-0 win over City in the first leg last week, but is expected to feature at the Etihad Stadium.
Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Mbappe's readiness, saying, “Mbappe is ready to play. I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course he'll be important.” Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham has travelled with the squad but isn't ready to play.
Kylian Mbappe, the French forward who's been on fire with 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, is set to feature at the Etihad Stadium. Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed, “Mbappe is ready to play,” adding he's looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch, scoring goals and being a game-changer.
“I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course he'll be important.”
Jude Bellingham's with the Real squad, stepping up his recovery from a hamstring issue, but he'll sit this one out vs City.
“Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates,” Arbeloa said.
“I'm very happy to see him getting closer to the team. It is important to be around his team-mates, during the team-talk and at half-time he'll be one of the leaders as he always is.”
Real Madrid's aiming to knock City out for a third straight Champions League season, with a comfy 3-0 lead from the first leg.
Defender Antonio Rudiger says stopping Erling Haaland's scoring streak is key – Haaland's been off form lately, but he's a threat.
“Players like Haaland, it's a huge pleasure to play against this type of player,” Rudiger said.
“I like the physical battle, I want it and need it, the same as him. I'm looking forward to it.
“He's a world-class striker, very strong, and I like these type of duels.”
Rudiger addressed the controversy, acknowledging his physical style of play amidst claims from Getafe's Diego Rico that he committed an “assault” in a recent match.
The Real defender didn't back down, saying he's just playing tough and fair – Rico's comments didn't faze him.
🛬 Manchester, we’re here! pic.twitter.com/JhWiGHzRJz
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 16, 2026
“In slow motion it looks terrible but in the action itself and also what the player said, it was like I almost killed him,” Rudiger said.
“He doesn't need to exaggerate because if I'd had the intention to do that he wouldn't have stood up.
“I don't justify it but the way he spoke after the game was like I killed him, but he was running afterwards.
“We all know I like to be tough on the pitch but I still have boundaries. I am a human being.”
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