Xabi Alonso Hopes Return Of Mbappe As Real Madrid Battle Against Juventus

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-27 22:37:06 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-27 21:38:32

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Zinedine Zidane's quest to win the Champions League yet again sees a tough test as Real Madrid face-off against Juventus in the round of 16. The Frenchman will be without the likes of Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal, and Ferland Mendy, while Karim Benzema is a major doubt after picking up a knock in the weekend's La Liga clash against Granada.

With the odds stacked against them, Madrid will be hoping to have French star Kylian Mbappe back to full fitness, as they take on a strong Juventus side. Speaking to his alma mater, Bayern Munich and former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is covering the match as a pundit for Spanish outlet, DAZN, backed Mbappe to return in the best possible condition.

Alonso commented, "I hope that Kylian Mbappe will be back, and I say this because he is a great player and they will need him, but also because I want to see the best players compete against each other."

The 2018 World Cup winner has been in scintillating form this season, scoring eight times and registering one assist in the La Liga, but has been sidelined since January 23 due to a gastroenteritis problem. Mbappe returned to team training on Thursday but wasn't included in the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over RB Salzburg in their final group stage game.

Alonso, who won the Champions League in his time at Real Madrid, reflected on the challenges that the current Los Blancos side faces in the coming weeks, "There is no favorite in this tie, and anyone who thinks they are favorites because they have a good campaign in the league or because they have won this competition before are mistaken. This competition and these matches against the best teams are all about details, and if you make a mistake, you are out."

The former Liverpool midfielder further added, "If you win, you advance and if you lose, you go home. It is very simple, and it is going to be a very even match, a very nice tie, with two teams who know each other well."

Real Madrid will be hoping to replicate their victory against Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final, and with just three days separating both legs, every player is sure to be pushed to their limits as they vie for the chance to lift the iconic trophy come June.

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