MADRID (AP) 鈥� Real Madrid is hoping Kylian Mbapp茅 will be back in 鈥渁 matter of days鈥� after he missed Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs. The result sent Madrid to the round of 16 with a 3-1 aggregate result.
Mbapp茅 was not included in the squad for the game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium because of a left knee injury he has been nursing for some time.
鈥淗e had to leave training and had been feeling some discomfort,鈥� Madrid coach 脕lvaro Arbeloa said. 鈥淲e spoke with the doctors and with him, and we agreed that the best thing was for him to stop for a while. Now we鈥檒l have to wait. Hopefully, it鈥檚 just a matter of days.鈥�
The France star, who scored nine goals in his last eight matches for Madrid, was replaced in attack by Gonzalo Garc铆a. The other forwards in the starting lineup were Arda Guler and Vin铆cius J煤nior, who scored the team’s second goal in the 80th minute.
Madrid鈥檚 forwards on the bench included included Franco Mastantuono and Brahim D铆az.
Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham also won’t be available because of injuries. In defense, Arbeloa was without Dean Huijsen.
Madrid won the first leg 1-0 last week in Benfica and only needs a draw to advance to the round of 16.
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