Arsenal geared up for a pivotal Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, following a commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg. As the Gunners aimed to secure a semi-final berth, Real Madrid faced the challenge of overturning their deficit at the Santiago Bernabeu. The match was set to kick off at 8 pm on Tuesday in Spain.
Reports from Spanish newspaper El Mundo claimed that Mbappe would be given a two-game suspension after his sending-off against Alaves on Sunday. However, his ban would not include European fixtures, meaning he was set to face Arsenal on Tuesday night. It was claimed that the France forward was ‘making an attempt for the ball,’ which helped Mbappe to avoid a more serious punishment.
Despite Kylian Mbappe’s recent red card in La Liga, he remained eligible to play against Arsenal. This development added an intriguing layer to the upcoming clash, as Mbappe’s presence could significantly impact the match’s outcome. His recent sending-off might suggest mounting pressure on the star forward to deliver a strong performance, a factor Arsenal would need to consider.
Isaac Seelochan of football.london said: “While Mbappe will be free to play against the Gunners in midweek, his sending off perhaps offers an indication of his state of mind. The 26-year-old will be feeling the pressure to turn up with a strong performance in the second leg, and that may be too much for even him to handle.”
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, expressed his thoughts on the situation surrounding Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, and the speculation about Xabi Alonso’s future. Carro’s comments highlighted the ripple effects of Arsenal’s first-leg triumph on the football world.
Fernando Carro said: “I would have preferred Real Madrid to have won by a wide margin and for the manager’s situation to be resolved. It’s normal in football that, when a club like Real Madrid loses 3-0 against Arsenal in the quarter-finals, rumours start to circulate. It’s understandable, and frankly, I would have preferred to avoid all that speculation and see a dominant Real Madrid performance.”
As Arsenal prepared to face Real Madrid, the stakes were high, not only for the players on the pitch but also for the managerial futures and reputations involved. The outcome of this clash could have far-reaching implications for both clubs.
