Real Madrid’s manager, Xabi Alonso, has revealed that Kylian Mbappe is nearing full fitness ahead of the Club World Cup quarter-finals, following his team’s narrow 1-0 victory over Juventus in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.
The eagerly anticipated debut of Mbappe came as he stepped onto the pitch as a second-half substitute, after having been sidelined during the group stage due to a bout of gastroenteritis.
Alonso remains hopeful that the French striker will regain his sharpness in time for Saturday’s quarter-final showdown against Borussia Dortmund.
“I believe he will improve day by day, and by the time we reach the quarter-finals, he should be in much better condition,” Alonso stated during a press conference.
“We will continue to monitor him daily.”
In Mbappe’s absence, Gonzalo Garcia stepped up admirably, netting the sole goal on Tuesday, marking his third in the tournament.
Midfielder Federico Valverde played a crucial role in Madrid’s hard-earned victory, creating numerous opportunities and earning accolades from Alonso, who described the Uruguayan as a “complete player” with the leadership qualities that inspire the entire squad.
Another key focus was Vinicius Jr.’s positioning, with Alonso discussing tactical adjustments that saw the Brazilian return to his preferred left flank during the second half.
“We noticed that providing him with space allowed him to attack more effectively from the outside,” Alonso elaborated.
Defensively, Alonso praised his players’ collective discipline, which successfully curtailed Juventus’s attacking opportunities. He highlighted Real’s ongoing defensive improvements, having conceded only two goals across four tournament matches to date.
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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