Real Madrid talisman Kylian Mbappe set for return from injury against Man City

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mbappe-kylian/Wn6E2SED/"]Mbappe[/a] was sidelined by a knee injury for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real[/a]'s 3-0 win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-city/Wtn9Stg0/"]City[/a] in the first leg in Madrid last week.[/p][p]But the France forward, who has scored 38 goals in 33 appearances this season, is set to feature [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/manchester-city-Wtn9Stg0/real-madrid-W8mj7MDD/?mid=Sx4Kqs0J"]at the Etihad Stadium[/a].[/p][p][b]"Mbappe is ready to play,"[/b] Real boss Alvaro [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/arbeloa-alvaro/CO9bjrLo/"]Arbeloa[/a] told reporters on Monday.[/p][p]"I cannot wait to see him back on the pitch, to enjoy watching him play, to score the goals he scores. Of course he'll be important."[/p][embed guid="35b167ca-83e5-48eb-a648-afc28346557d" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2033473141545095368" social-type="twitter" /][p]England midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bellingham-jude/QNvlPm7s/"]Jude Bellingham[/a] has also travelled with the Real squad as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem, but is not ready to feature against City[/p][p][b]"Bellingham wanted to come with his team-mates," [/b]Arbeloa said.[/p][p][b]"I'm very happy to see him getting closer to the team. It is important to be around his team-mates, during the team-talk and at half-time he'll be one of the leaders as he always is."[/b][/p][p]Real are expected to knock City out of the Champions League for a third successive season after establishing a substantial first leg advantage.[/p][p]Real defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rudiger-antonio/rZHXvTho/"]Antonio Rudiger[/a] believes the key to victory is stopping City striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/haaland-erling/UmV9iQmE/"]Erling Haaland[/a] from rediscovering his top [b]form after a poor recent run.[/b][/p][p][b]"Players like Haaland, it's a huge pleasure to play against this type of player," [/b]Rudiger said.[/p][p]"I like the physical battle, I want it and need it, the same as him. I'm looking forward to it.[/p][p][b]"He's a world-class striker, very strong, and I like these type of duels."[/b][/p][p]Rudiger acknowledged his combative approach as he addressed recent claims from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/getafe/dboeiWOt/"]Getafe[/a] defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rico-diego/l0v5oji3/"]Diego Rico[/a] about his conduct.[/p][p]Rico said Rudiger committed an "assault" against him in a challenge earlier this month.[/p][p][b]"In slow motion it looks terrible but in the action itself and also what the player said, it was like I almost killed him,"[/b] Rudiger said.[/p][p]"He doesn't need to exaggerate because if I'd had the intention to do that he wouldn't have stood up.[/p][p][b]"I don't justify it but the way he spoke after the game was like I killed him, but he was running afterwards.[/b][/p][p]"We all know I like to be tough on the pitch but I still have boundaries. I am a human being."[/p]