Real Madrid will also have to do without striker Kylian Mbappé in their second group match at the Club World Cup.
Kylian Mbappé was sorely missed in Real’s 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal in their first tournament game due to “acute gastroenteritis.” “We missed the goal. That’s what I’ll take away from it,” coach Xabi Alonso lamented.
The Frenchman is recovering “bit by bit,” a club source told AFP, but Mbappé did not fly with his teammates to Sunday’s game in Charlotte against Mexican club FC Pachuca.
Shortly afterwards, Xabi Alonso confirmed that the 26-year-old striker, who had even been briefly hospitalized, would miss the game. “He’s feeling better. We’re optimistic that he’ll be available against Salzburg,” said the Spaniard, referring to Real’s third game in the Club World Cup. The record Champions League winners face RB Salzburg in Philadelphia on Thursday night (3 a.m. CEST).
Due to Mbappé’s illness, young striker Gonzalo Garcia, who has only made five substitute appearances in La Liga, made a surprise start against Al-Hilal. The 21-year-old promptly scored the opening goal on Xabi Alonso’s debut, albeit with a bit of luck.
