Real Madrid faces the huge test of a long Derby with Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the last 16 Champions League tie and is one that may have to surpass without Kylian Mbappe.
MBAPPE is reportedly set to undergo exercise tests to determine if he will be able to play Metropolitano, while France’s striker suffered a hit in his right ankle last weekend Rayo Vallecano.
Madrid, who have not yet announced their official team for the game, drive 2-1 from the first leg in Santiago Bernabeu.
MBAPPE’s absence would be a huge boost to Atletico, who held Madrid in a 1-1 draw in Lala in September, grabbing Angel Correa’s 95th minute.
But Atletico Rodrigo De Paul has no illusion about the level of Madrid quality at their disposal and called on Diego Simeone to maintain an island focus as they look to overturn the deficit of the first level.
“Everything is fundamental, even more so for a draw like this,” De Paul told Diario As.
“The spiritual part has its meaning, but also the tactic, the natural …. it is a set. It has nothing to do with one thing.
🙌 It’s a race! 🙌
🆚 @Atletienglish
🕰 21:00 CET
Metropolitan pic.twitter.com/22F2GSeuul– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) 12 March 2025
“First, above all, when you face this type of race, you must also enjoy them because you are not always playing them. Understanding that in order to achieve what we want to be all together, it does not depend on a player or a thing.
“The games of this size are won as a team. Having experienced other important games, I am sure this is a team where we all feel important, in 90 minutes we need everyone, we are dedicated to the cause. And it can be a wonderful night for all Atleticans.
“Real Madrid has all the highest level players, which leads you to concentrate and worry about the game against them. (Jude) Bellingham has different features, can play, and (luka) modric, (aurelien) Tchouameni as well.
“They have different features, but they play at a very high level. I don’t see so much about who is in front of me, because they are great, as I do in what I have to do.”
De Paul suffered a blow, as Atletico was hit by Getafe on the weekend to fall a spot behind Barcelona and Madrid in a very close Laliga title match.
But he said of his physical condition: “I feel very good, it was a blow and it was only that. Nothing else.”
