Does Kylian Mbappé play today? Real Madrid x Manchester City in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League

Real Madrid faces Manchester City this Wednesday, March 11, at 9pm (Madri local time), at Estádio Santiago Bernabéu, in the first leg of the Liga round of 16 of the UEFA Campeões. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, the competition’s top scorer with 13 goals, represents the main absence for the Whites. The Frenchman continues to recover from a left knee sprain suffered in December, which prevents him from playing in the clash. Real Madrid seeks to overcome losses and gain an advantage at home, while Manchester City arrives more complete and favorites due to the stability of the squad.

Kylian Mbappé has remained sidelined since the end of February due to a persistent left knee injury. The attacker underwent exams in Paris and returned to individual training in Valdebebas, but did not participate in recent collective activities. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed that the recovery is progressing positively, but prioritizes the player’s full return to avoid relapses. The expectation is that Mbappé will return soon, possibly for future LaLiga matches or the return game against City.

The injury to Mbappé worsens the situation for Real Madrid, which already has other important absences in attack and defense. Sem the Frenchman, the team loses the main Champions League top scorer this season. The player scored 13 goals in the competition, surpassing teammates like Vinícius Júnior, who only has three. The absence forces tactical adjustments and increases the dependence on individual performances to balance the duel.

Where to watch live and stream online

The match will be broadcast exclusively live on HBO Max on Brasil, with full coverage and pre-game starting at 4pm (Brasília time). No Reino Unido, the game goes to TNT Sports and Prime Video. Nos Estados Unidos, the option is Paramount+. The platforms offer specialized narration, replays and post-match analysis for fans to follow the confrontation.

Probable lineups

Real Madrid should line up Courtois in goal, with Alexander-Arnold on the right flank, Asencio and Rüdiger in defense, Mendy on the left. The midfield features Valverde, Tchouaméni and Güler, while Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García lead the attack in the absence of Mbappé. The scheme prioritizes quick transitions and exploits the speed available to compensate for the lack of the top scorer.

Manchester City enters with Donnarumma in goal, defense with Nunes, Dias and Guéhi, The team maintains possession of the ball and high pressure, taking advantage of the stability to control the game.

Impact of the absence of Mbappé

Mbappé leads the Champions artillery with 13 goals in eight matches, showing his decisive importance. Sem him, Real Madrid depends more on Vinícius Júnior, who is going through a good recent phase, but still accumulates lower numbers than the Frenchman this season. Analistas highlight that the absence of the French striker makes the match more challenging for the Merengues at home.

Recent clash history

The teams face each other for the fifth consecutive season in the Champions knockout stage. In the group stage of this edition, Manchester City won 2-1 at Bernabéu. Mbappé has scored in previous editions, including a hat-trick in a previous clash, which raises expectations about his current absence.

Results of the last 5 games of each team

Real Madrid alternates results in domestic and European competitions, with recent wins and draws. Injuries, including that of Mbappé, affect the team’s consistency. Manchester City maintains a positive streak, with good performance on several fronts and high confidence for the duel.

Curiosities and arbitration

Referee Maurizio Mariani, from Itália, commands the match, assisted by VAR Marco Di Bello, also Italian. The temperature in Madri is around 15-16°C, with partly cloudy skies and a low chance of rain, ideal conditions for a technical game.

Tickets and stadium

Santiago Bernabéu receives around 83 thousand fans. Ingressos sold out quickly for the visiting and general sectors, given the relevance of the confrontation. The local fans create intense pressure from the opening whistle.

Guesses and analysis

Manchester City is the favorite due to its greater stability and the absence of Mbappé in Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior and Courtois need to raise the bar to balance. The game promises high intensity, with the potential for goals due to the teams’ offensive power.

The duel continues next week at Etihad Stadium, where Manchester City seeks to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of UEFA’s Liga of Campeões.