The controversy is not likely to die down: French striker Kylian Mbappé, not called up for the French team after his left thigh injury, participated on Saturday in Real Madrid’s success against Villareal (2-0) in La Liga, this who questions his absence in Blue.
Surprise starter at kick-off when he was not yet 100% recovered from his muscle injury according to his coach Carlo Ancelotti, the captain of the Blues, absent from Didier Deschamps’ list for the two Nations League matches against Israel (October 10) and Belgium (October 14 at the King Baudouoin stadium), was not decisive but showed good form before leaving to the applause of the Santiago Bernabéu in the 70th minute.
Still deprived of Thibaut Courtois, injured in the hamstrings, the reigning Spanish champion, collectively much more in place than in Lille on Wednesday (1-0), where he conceded his first defeat since January 2023, was imposed thanks to a good strike from his Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde (14th, 1-0) and a cannon shot from the Brazilian Vinicius Junior (73rd, 2-0), to continue his impressive series of 41 matches without defeat in the league.
In terms of accounting, Real (2nd, 21 points) returns to the level of its great rival FC Barcelona (1st, also 21 points), which must return to success on Sunday at Alavés (4:15 p.m.) after its first setback against Osasuna ( 4-2) last weekend.
