Mbappé set for Bernabéu judgment day as pressure mounts on Real Madrid
The French star returns to action against Levante following a knee issue, as Los Blancos face a potentially hostile home crowd after two consecutive trophy defeats.
Real Madrid’s faithful are sharpening their knives ahead of Saturday’s clash with Levante, with Kylian Mbappé set to return to a team desperately needing to stop the rot.
Crisis Mode at the Bernabéu
The mood around Valdebebas couldn’t be more gloomy after Madrid’s shock Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete - a team hovering just a point above the relegation zone in Spain’s second tier. This embarrassing defeat comes hot on the heels of their Supercopa loss, meaning Los Blancos have kissed goodbye to two potential trophies in quick succession.
The atmosphere at training has been described as one of “frustration and sadness” - and that’s putting it mildly. The players are not just mourning these defeats but also facing accusations from supporters that they’re responsible for Xabi Alonso’s departure - a manager the Madridistas never turned on even when results went pear-shaped.
Mbappé Returns to the Spotlight
The one silver lining for interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa is the return of Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman missed the Albacete debacle completely and managed just 15 minutes in the Supercopa final due to ongoing issues with his left knee. However, he wasn’t mentioned in today’s injury report, suggesting he’s ready to face the music against Levante.
Jude Bellingham, another absentee from the cup disaster, is also available for selection as Madrid look to get their season back on track.
Injury Updates
- Today’s session focused on recovery for those who logged heavy minutes at Carlos Belmonte
- Rodrygo and Rüdiger trained separately but should join the main group tomorrow
- Both are expected to make the squad for Saturday’s 2pm kickoff
- Long-term absentees Militao, Alexander-Arnold and Mendy remain sidelined with no return dates set
What was once penciled in as a routine home win now looms as a potential banana skin. The Bernabéu faithful aren’t known for their patience, and another slip-up against Levante would turn the atmosphere absolutely toxic. For Mbappé and company, Saturday’s match isn’t just about three points - it’s about saving face in front of an increasingly restless crowd.