Real Madrid feared for striker Kylian Mbappé after he was sent off on Sunday. However, the Spanish sports court has now handed down a surprisingly lenient punishment against the Frenchman.
Real Madrid’s away game last Sunday against Deportivo Alaves (1-0) made big waves. Because both teams gave each other nothing and two brutal kicks led to two red cards. One of them was a surprise for Kylian Mbappé, who attracted attention four minutes after Eduardo Camavinga scored the opening goal with a nasty tackle.
With the open sole, the 2018 world champion caught opponent Antonio on the right calf, risking injury. Referee Cesar Soto Grado initially showed yellow, but was unsurprisingly summoned to the screen by the VAR. It didn’t take long for the Spaniard to reverse his decision.
Mendizorroza celebrated sending off Mbappé, who slunk off without a word. “Kylian is hurt and disappointed, but he trained brilliantly yesterday,” Carlo Ancelotti reported on Tuesday, who “more than ever” needs the Frenchman’s goals in the second leg against Arsenal after the 3-0 defeat in London.
Really arrived
After initial problems, Mbappé has now really arrived in the Spanish capital. 22 La Liga goals in 29 appearances and seven in 13 Champions League games are an expression of this.
In the tight race for the league title, in which Real’s arch-rival Barcelona is lagging behind, the Whites are now understandably worried about Mbappé. Rumors of a suspension that would even affect the eagerly awaited Clasico in May were circulating in Madrid.
No appearance against Bilbao
The Spanish sports court’s decision on Tuesday was all the more surprising. Mbappé, who was sent off for the first time in his 49th appearance for Real after three red cards for PSG (in 308 competitive games), will actually only be suspended for the upcoming home game against Bilbao on Sunday.
The surprisingly lenient punishment will probably raise more than a few eyebrows in Barcelona. Like Mbappé, Alaves’ Manu Sanchez, who had been kicked in the calf by Vinicius Junior – albeit much more unfortunately – was only suspended for one game.
