Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is facing one of the biggest tests of his brief tenure as reports from COPE, relayed by RM4 Arab, reveal that the Spaniard will be forced to rely on just two tactical solutions if Kylian Mbappe fails to recover in time for tonight’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City.
The French superstar has emerged as the latest addition to Madrid’s ever-growing injury list, deepening the crisis at precisely the worst possible moment. According to sources in Spain, Mbappe’s condition has left Xabi Alonso sweating over his lineup just hours before kick-off at the Santiago Bernabéu, in what many consider a decisive fixture for both Madrid’s European campaign and Alonso’s long-term future at the club.
Mbappe’s Sudden Setback
Tension spiked on Tuesday morning when Mbappe was absent from Madrid’s final training session at Valdebebas. Initially, the club believed the forward would be fit enough to play through a recently fractured finger, but fresh concerns emerged when he began to feel muscular discomfort, forcing Madrid’s medical staff to conduct further scans.
The new issue is understood to be unrelated to his hand injury, and while the team remains hopeful, there is a genuine risk that the 26-year-old could be ruled out entirely. His potential absence would be a major blow, as Madrid are already missing eight first-team players through injury — including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, and Aurelien Tchouaméni — leaving Alonso with limited tactical flexibility.
Two Tactical Plans on the Table
If Mbappe is unavailable, Xabi Alonso has reportedly reduced his options to two clear alternatives. The first involves giving Endrick his first competitive start under the new manager. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who only recently arrived in Europe, is viewed as a long-term project but could be thrust into the spotlight far earlier than planned.
In the second, more cautious option, Rodrygo would play from the right flank while Vinicius Jr would move into a central striker position. Federico Valverde would temporarily move to right-back, allowing Dani Ceballos to move into midfield.
