Alvaro Arbeloa has come to the defense of Kylian Mbappe following criticism of the forward’s defensive contribution during Real Madrid’s exit from the UEFA Champions League.
Mbappe faced scrutiny after Real Madrid’s 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich in the second leg of their quarter final clash, which saw the German side progress 6-4 on aggregate. Critics suggested the French star failed to track back defensively, particularly after Eduardo Camavinga was sent off late in the match.
However, Arbeloa dismissed those claims, insisting Mbappe delivered a complete performance. Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s next fixture, he praised the forward’s work rate, noting that he not only scored in both legs but also contributed defensively and remained a constant threat.
“I have nothing to reproach Kylian about,” Arbeloa said, emphasizing that the player gave maximum effort throughout the tie. He added that he was fully satisfied with Mbappe’s display despite the disappointing result.
Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint Germain, has been in prolific form, scoring 40 goals in all competitions this season. However, he will have to wait longer to achieve his ambition of winning the Champions League title.
The defeat has added pressure on Arbeloa, with Real Madrid also trailing FC Barcelona in the La Liga title race. With seven matches remaining and a significant points gap, the club faces the possibility of ending the season without major silverware.
Despite uncertainty surrounding his future, Arbeloa downplayed the need for major ces, suggesting that only adjustments rather than a full overhaul are required to improve results next season.
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