No Mbappe, no problem: Real Madrid confident of facing Manchester City in Champions League Round of 16

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said on Tuesday his team should not feel inferior to Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash, even without injured striker Kylian Mbappe.

The French superstar did not train ahead of Wednesday’s first leg because of a knee sprain and cannot face Pep Guardiola’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, although Arbeloa said he is improving.

Madrid also have Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Eder Militao sidelined, among other players, but the coach said the record 15-time champion of Europe had to remain confident.

“We are Real Madrid and I think that we never feel lesser than anyone else,” Arbeloa told reporters. “It doesn’t matter the circumstance, it doesn’t matter who is in front of us, we are Real Madrid and we should not feel inferior to anyone.

“Tomorrow we have an opponent we know well — the identity of the club, coach, players, what Manchester City is… but we’ll head into it full of hope.”

Mbappe was in France last week for tests and treatment on a knee sprain, which Arbeloa said was looking better.

ALSO READ: Real Madrid’s Carreras to miss Man City clash

“He’s a lot better, as I’ve said a lot over the last few weeks it’s something that we have to look at day by day,” said the Spaniard. “All this week has been very positive, he’s come back feeling good and each day he’s doing better, so I hope he’s back soon.”

Without Mbappe, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior will lead the attack for Real Madrid.

“He’s taking a lot of responsibility… we need the best of him if we’re going to knock out Manchester City,” added Arbeloa.

Arbeloa, who took over from Xabi Alonso in January, said his first two months in the job have been a “big learning experience”, and he expects Guardiola to arrive in the Spanish capital with a surprise up his sleeve.

“He’s always got a surprise prepared, he’s a coach who in these kind of games has something different ready,” said Arbeloa.

Published on Mar 10, 2026