Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of their trip to Rayo Vallecano, while his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga is set for a return to the team, Afrosport reports.
Mbappe was forced off during the first half of their 3-2 win over Atalanta in the Champions League, having opened the scoring for Los Blancos in Bergamo, and the 25-year-old has been diagnosed with a thigh injury in his left leg.
Camavinga, on the other hand, has been named among Madrid’s travelling squad to Vallecano, as the French midfielder has recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered last month in a Champions League match against Liverpool.
“Mbappe‘s injury is not serious, although he won’t be here tomorrow,” Ancelotti told reporters on Friday ahead of their clash against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. “But he will travel to Qatar and we’ll assess the risk there.
“We don’t know. Fortunately, he’ll only be out for a short period and will not lose what he has achieved in recent times. Camavingais doing well and is available for tomorrow.”
Mbappe has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 22 matches in all competitions, including nine goals in 15 games in La Liga.
Real Madrid are currently second in the Spanish league standings with 38 points, two points behind leaders Barcelona, who have played a game more, and Ancelotti is looking forward to a “tough” battle against Rayo Vallecano.
“It will be demanding and more so at this stage of the season,” the Italian manager said when asked about the game at the Estadio de Vallecas. “Rayo have always been tough opponents for us. They play well and with intensity at home, but we have confidence.
“The team has recovered well, after an extra day’s rest. We go into the game with plenty of desire to get three points.”
A win temporarily puts Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings, with Barcelona up against 17th-placed Leganes at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
