Some more salt on Pep's wounds: one of Real Madrid key stars returns tonight
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 17.03.26. | 13:00
Both Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe travelled with the rest of the team to Manchester for tonight's return leg (11 pm), but only one of them will be in the squad
Real Madrid arrive in Manchester with one foot in the quarter-finals - and with Kylian Mbappe back just in time for the main event.
The French forward has recovered from a knee sprain that sidelined him since late February and is set to feature in the second leg against Manchester City, handing Madrid a major boost under the Etihad lights.
Jude Bellingham, however, will play no part.
The English midfielder has travelled with the squad as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered against Rayo Vallecano. However, head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed he will not be risked.
"Bellingham wanted to be with the team, but he won't be available," Arbeloa said. "Mbappe, on the other hand, is ready. We're all eager to see him back, not just for his goals, but for everything he brings to the game."
The contrast is striking: Madrid regain their most explosive weapon, but are still without one of their emotional and tactical leaders.
Even so, Bellingham's presence has not gone unnoticed inside the camp.
"He's already a leader," Arbeloa added. "Just having him around, in training, in the dressing room, matters a lot for the team."
Madrid can afford a degree of caution.
A commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, inspired by Federico Valverde's first-half hat-trick, has left City with a mountain to climb. The tie could have been effectively over even earlier, but Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Vinicius Jr from the spot.
Now, all eyes shift to Manchester, and to Mbappe.
With Bellingham sidelined, the spotlight falls squarely on the Frenchman to lead Madrid's charge and, perhaps, deliver the final blow to Pep Guardiola's fading hopes.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16
Return leg
Tuesday
20.45: (1.50) Sporting (5.40) Bodo (5.70)
23.00: (1.28) Arsenal (5.70) Leverkusen (12.0)
23.00: (2.15) Chelsea (4.25) PSG (3.05)
23.00: (1.46) Manchester City (5.50) Real Madrid (6.10)
Wednesday
20.45: (1.57) Barcelona (4.65) Newcastle (5.00)
23.00: (1.35) Bayern (5.30) Atalanta (8.00)
23.00: (1.30) Liverpool (6.10) Galatasaray (8.50)
23.00: (2.60) Tottenham (3.75) Atl.Madrid (2.65)
***odds are subject to change***