Mbappe Out, Madrid's Bold Bid to Rebound Against Levante

Real Madrid seek a return to winning ways tonight against Levante, but they will have to do without star striker Kylian Mbappe, sidelined by a knee injury for clash in La Liga.

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Last week proved tough for Real Madrid, who fell to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final before exiting the Copa del Rey at the hands of Albacete, a second-division side. In the meantime, Xabi Alonso stepped down as coach, replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa.

Arbeloa will lead his home game as Real Madrid coach, but like his Albacete debut, he will have to do without Mbappe. Marca reports the French striker will miss the Bernabéu, still hampered by a knee injury before winter break today.

Mbappe trained on Thursday and showed no sign of trouble, but an internal decision was made not to risk him for Levante. Mbappe played through the pain in the Super Clásico defeat, but the club wants to avoid any extra risk to his recovery.

Mbappe’s absence will likely mean Gonzalo Garcia again starts in attack. The 21-year-old has been superb in Mbappe’s absence, scoring five goals in his last four games – including a hat-trick vs Betis, a strike in the Clasico, and another in the cup defeat to Albacete.

Gonzalo will be eager to keep up his run against Levante. Real Madrid must return to winning ways quickly, even if the task won’t be easy against a side that hasn’t lost in their last three matches, and the crowd will roar for a stubborn reply.

Punchline 1: If goals were jokes, Madrid would be unstoppable—yet the knee keeps stealing the punchline.

Punchline 2: If Madrid win, the trophies might start asking for a selfie with Arbeloa.