Kylian Mbappe has been handed a one-match domestic suspension following his red card in Real Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Alaves on Sunday. The French star will miss Los Blancos’ upcoming league match against Athletic Bilbao, but the good news for manager Carlo Ancelotti is that Mbappe will still be available for Real Madrid’s crucial Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Arsenal at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The red card was handed to Mbappe after a reckless challenge on Alaves’ Antonio Blanco late in the first half. Initially shown a yellow card by the referee, the decision was reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), which led to an upgrade to a straight red card after the referee, Cesar Soto Grado, consulted the pitchside monitor.
Many have criticized Mbappe’s tackle, with many calling it reckless and potentially dangerous. Blanco was fortunate not to suffer a serious injury. However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed that Mbappe’s suspension will only be for one domestic game, which means he will miss Real Madrid’s La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday but will be free to play in the Champions League the following Wednesday.
This suspension is significant as Real Madrid prepares for a vital second-leg tie against Arsenal. The first leg ended in a 3-0 defeat for the Spanish giants at the Emirates Stadium, putting them in a precarious position ahead of the return leg in Madrid. Mbappe’s presence in the Champions League match is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Real Madrid’s chances of overturning the deficit and advancing to the semifinals.
Despite his suspension for the domestic league, Mbappe will also be available for upcoming high-stakes matches, including the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26, and the next edition of El Clasico against the Catalan club on May 11. He is also expected to return to action in La Liga against Getafe on April 23.
For now, the focus remains on Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League clash, where Mbappe will need to be at his best to help the team recover from their disappointing first-leg performance. The French forward, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer last summer, has been in superb form this season, scoring 32 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions.
Mbappe’s form has been one of the bright spots for Real Madrid, who currently sit second in La Liga, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points. With just seven games remaining in the domestic league, Real Madrid’s hopes of winning the title remain alive, but they will have to rely on their star players, like Mbappe, to deliver in crucial matches.
The suspension also comes after Mbappe and several of his teammates narrowly avoided bans for their conduct during post-match celebrations following Real Madrid’s dramatic penalty shootout win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League round of 16. UEFA had launched an investigation into the celebrations, which involved Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, Dani Ceballos, and Vinicius Jr. However, the investigation was concluded without any immediate suspensions. Mbappe and Rudiger were both fined €30,000 and €40,000, respectively, for “violating the basic rules of decent conduct.” Both players also received one-match suspensions that have been suspended for a year, meaning they were cleared to play in the first leg against Arsenal.
Despite his disciplinary issues, Mbappe’s performances on the field have continued to justify his status as one of the top players in world football. His contributions have been instrumental in Real Madrid’s success this season, which has included victories in the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. However, their 3-0 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup earlier this year served as a reminder of the challenges they face, particularly in domestic competition.
As the season reaches its climax, Real Madrid’s focus will be on securing a strong finish in La Liga, advancing in the Champions League, and claiming domestic trophies like the Copa del Rey. For Mbappe, the challenge will be to maintain his top-level performances while navigating the challenges of a packed fixture schedule. His suspension for the Athletic Bilbao game is a setback, but with the upcoming Champions League tie against Arsenal and the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, he remains a key player in Ancelotti’s plans.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid’s fixture list remains packed with crucial matches, including a La Liga showdown with Barcelona on May 11, followed by another edition of El Clasico in the Copa del Rey final. Madrid also has a series of important league matches against Celta Vigo, Mallorca, Sevilla, and Real Sociedad before the end of the season. Additionally, they will embark on their Club World Cup campaign against Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia on June 18.
The 2023/2024 season has been a rollercoaster ride for Real Madrid, with standout performances from Mbappe and his teammates, but also with some unexpected defeats. The club is still in contention for multiple trophies, and much will depend on their ability to rise to the occasion in the remaining high-stakes games. With Mbappe in the squad, they remain one of the most dangerous teams in Europe, but it will take more than individual brilliance to overcome the challenges posed by teams like Arsenal and Barcelona in the coming weeks.
