"Motivated" Kylian Mbappe receives huge suspension boost hours before Arsenal clash after La Liga red card

Kylian Mbappe has received some big news just hours before he and Real Madrid host Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday night. A mammoth task awaits Los Blancos, going into the clash three goals behind the Gunners, but they are hoping to produce another famous comeback under the lights at the Sanitago Bernabeu.

Arsenal will have to be on-guard to avoid falling victim to what has been a real trend in the Champions League, a competition the Spanish giants have dominated over recent years.

Real Madrid are currently attempting to claw their way back to the top of La Liga, but they are four points behind leaders and rivals Barcelona, and they almost fell further behind over the weekend. Carlo Anclelott’s men took the lead against Alaves but then saw star man Mbappe sent off in the 38th minute for a nasty tackle on Real Madrid academy graduate Antonio Blanco.

Mbappe was initially given a yellow card, but it was upgraded to a straight red by VAR after images showed that the striker had delivered a challenge capable of a leg break, planting his studs high up the leg of Blanco.

After the game, Mbappe told Marca that he had already apologised to Blanco for his tackle. He said: “It was a strong challenge, but I have apologised, that’s what is most important.” Blanco then accepted the apology publicly, adding: “Those plays can happen, they are part of football and they stay on the pitch.”

Real Madrid’s assistant Davide Ancelotti said: “Kylian Mbappe is not a violent boy, and he has apologised. It’s a clear red card challenge and he has paid the price. It doesn’t justify it, but I think there were many fouls committed on him that have led up to his action.”

Real Madrid have been nervously awaiting the suspension decision for Mbappe from the RFEF (Spanish Football Federation), and that’s because, after La Liga games with Athletic Club and Getafe, they face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final in Sevilla.

A three-game ban would have ruled Mbappe out of that Clásico final, but the RFEF have now confirmed that the suspension will only be one game despite it arguably being serious foul play. The Frenchman will count himself very lucky that he did not receive a longer suspension, one that would have kept him out for that final.

Mbappe will surely be enthused by the news heading into the Arsenal game, now knowing he will be able to play the final, a privilege he may not get in the Champions League if the Gunners are able to finish the job.

In his pre-match press conference for this game, Carlo Ancelotti said: “He was hurt and disappointed by what happened in Vitoria. He trained very well yesterday. He's very motivated and we obviously need him. He has to score goals. He has scored a lot this season, but tomorrow we need them more than ever.” The suspension should give Mbappe the lift he needs as he and his teammates attempt another memorable comeback.

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