Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe issues apology ahead of Arsenal clash

Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has had to apologise ahead of Wednesday night’s big Champions League quarter-final second leg with Arsenal. Los Blancos are in search of another famous comeback on Wednesday, currently trailing Arsenal by three goals after a first leg to forget at the Emirates Stadium.

Mbappe wasn’t able to impact the game, only really having one clear chance on what was a frustrating evening, and Real Madrid were almost frustrated again over the weekend when they took on Alaves in La Liga.

It was effectively a must-win game for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who went into the weekend four points behind Barcelona, who also won over the weekend. Real Madrid need to keep winning to stay in the race, and they got off to a good start thanks to Eduardo Camavinga’s opener in the 34th minute - it’s worth noting that Camavinga is suspended for the second leg against Arsenal.

But just four minutes after the goal, Mbappe was sent off for a nasty-looking tackle on Antonio Blanco, who actually came through the Real Madrid academy. The Frenchman planted his studs high up the leg of Blanco and received a yellow card that was later upgraded to a straight red card after a VAR review.

Real Madrid ultimately held on, but they were helped by Alaves seeing Manu Sanchez sent off to a straight red card in the 70th minute.

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.” To Blanco’s credit, he accepted the apology and said after the game: “Those plays can happen, they are part of football and they stay on the pitch.”

Real Madrid had Ancelotti’s son Davide on the sideline for this one, and the Italian said after the game: “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.”

Mbappe will now face a suspension that will see him miss the Athletic Club game, at a minimum, but it’s worth clarifying that he will not be suspended for the Arsenal game, with domestic red cards not covering European football other than very specific circumstances relating to certain off-the-pitch matters. That means the Frenchman will be available as he looks to inspire a Real Madrid comeback and keep his hopes of winning a first Champions League title alive.

Frustratingly for Mbappe, he spent years trying to win a Champions League title with PSG only to leave this season, now facing a potential quarter-final exit, while PSG are on course to progress to the semi-finals, 3-1 up against Aston Villa after the first leg. Though, granted, PSG are still some way away from winning the whole competition, and it’s not the first time they have reached the latter stages of the competition, regularly falling short up to this point.

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