Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Tuesday that his team will not be inferior to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last-16 match, even without injured striker Kylian Mbappé.
The French superstar did not train for Wednesday’s first leg due to a knee sprain and cannot face Pep Guardiola’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, although Arbeloa said he is improving.
Madrid have also sidelined Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Eder Militao, but the coach said the record 15-time European champions had to remain confident.
«We are Real Madrid and I think we never feel inferior to anyone else,» Arbeloa told reporters. “It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are, it doesn’t matter who is in front of us, we are Real Madrid and we cannot feel inferior to anyone.
«Tomorrow we have an opponent that we know well: the identity of the club, the coach, the players, what Manchester City is… but we go into it full of hope.»
Mbappe was in France last week for tests and treatment for a sprained knee, which Arbeloa said was looking better.
READ ALSO: Real Madrid’s Carreras to miss Manchester City match vcfgd.
“He is a lot better, as I have said a lot in recent weeks, it is something we have to look at day by day,” said the Spaniard. «The whole week has been very positive. He’s coming back feeling good and he’s getting better every day, so I hope he’ll be back soon.»
Without Mbappe, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior will lead the attack for Real Madrid.
“He takes a lot of responsibility… we need the best from him if we want to beat Manchester City,” Arbeloa added.
Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January, said his first two months in the job were a “great learning experience” and he expects Guardiola to arrive in the Spanish capital with a surprise in store.
«He always has a surprise ready, he is a coach who has something different ready in these types of games,» said Arbeloa.
Published on March 10, 2026
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/mickey-rourke-011626-1-a29277d3b5bf473bb8e3f38a3c081fb5.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Mickey Rourke incumple su caso de desalojo y se cancela el contrato de arrendamiento de su casa en Los Ángeles (exclusivo)")
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kids-wait-till-you-hear-this-liza-minelli-031026-47e595fc5e9749a3aae8ad17c2b279ff.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Las mayores bombas de las memorias de Liza Minnelli “¡Niños, esperen hasta escuchar esto! »")
