Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti hopes Kylian Mbappe will not be out for a long time after the striker paved the way for Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League win over Atalanta but was left out minutes after scoring Forced to leave due to injury.
Real Madrid have endured a series of injuries this season, with several key players missing important games, including Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who is out for the rest of the season with a torn cruciate ligament.
Ancelotti said: “Mbappe is bearing an overload and has discomfort in his ischium (lower pelvis).” Mobilestar Plus.
“It doesn’t look serious but we’ll see after the test tomorrow. It bothered him a little bit that he couldn’t sprint and we decided to make a substitution,” he added.
Mbappe was heavily criticized for his poor performances during his first few months at Real Madrid after joining as a free agent from Paris Saint-Germain, but has arguably had his best season at Atalanta. In one game, he opened the scoring in the 10th minute and scored. A threatening run.
ALSO READ | UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Vinicius scores on return as Real beat Atalanta
But his night only lasted 35 minutes as he went down and asked to be substituted before being replaced by Rodrigo.
Vinicius Junior, who returned to the team after two weeks out with a muscle injury, was on the fringes for much of the game but made the most of the opportunities he was given, scoring in the 56th minute to equalize for the visitors. Charles de Cotetrare equalized from the penalty spot just before half-time to put his team ahead.
Jude Bellingham doubled Real’s lead three minutes later and visiting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced his first goal after Ademola Lookman reduced the deficit in the 65th minute. Magic, with a series of saves to secure a hard-earned victory.
With two games remaining, Real Madrid are 18th in the 36-team standings with nine points, three points off the top eight, ensuring direct progression to the last 16. Atalanta is ninth with 11 points.
“This is a very important win and not everyone can win here,” Ancelotti said.
“We suffered and fought hard. Without suffering there would be no Champions League. They were under pressure but we started the second half well. We are happy. It was a very good win for us, not just for points but more It’s about building confidence. It’s still difficult to get into the top eight, but we still have two games to take points,” he added.
