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Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras are set to be absent for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City – live on TNT Sports and discovery+.The Athletic reported Carreras is due to miss the match with a calf injury, while star striker Mbappe is also set to remain sidelined alongside Bellingham – who have both been out in recent weeks.
While the report said Carreras is expected to be fit for the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, the full-back’s absence will be a major blow to Alvaro Arbeloa’s side, who have been plagued with fitness issues since the turn of the year.
Madrid announced last week that Rodrygo had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, ending his 2025/26 season, and his hopes of playing at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Defenders Eder Militao and David Alaba are also out alongside midfielder Dani Ceballos.
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Arbeloa has sought to find a solution to the absences of Mbappe and Bellingham in recent weeks, with the likes of academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia and Morocco international Brahim Diaz finding more regular game-time in attack, while 18-year-old academy player Thiago Pitarch has added to the midfield options.
Mbappe reportedly travelled to France for additional tests and treatment on his left knee, which has seen him miss Madrid’s last three matches.
And Arbeloa had previously expressed doubt over his chances of appearing in the first leg against City.
“[We want him to] totally recover from the discomfort so he can come back at 100%, with complete confidence and security,” he said. “When he feels totally recovered and that discomfort has disappeared, we’ll see [if he can play against City].
“Day by day. Right now, it’s better not to give a timeline. We’ll see how he feels, and based on that, we’ll decide. We want him to return at 100%, and when that happens, he’ll be back.”
Mbappe was pictured doing off-the-ball training on Monday. The France international has recorded 38 goals and six assists in 33 appearances this season.
Bayern ‘wait and see’ on Kane
A calf injury saw Harry Kane miss his first match of the season for Bayern Munich against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday, and head coach Vincent Kompany said he will have to “wait and see” whether the striker is fit for Tuesday’s match against Atalanta.
Bayern travel to the Serie A side on a run of six consecutive victories, and Kane is expected to be with the squad.
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“Harry had a good training session, but we want to wait and see tomorrow morning how he’s come through it,” Kompany said in his press conference on Monday. “It’s important for us he’s here and can play a role tomorrow.”Kane has recorded 45 goals and five assists in 37 appearances this season, scoring eight times in the Champions League thus far.
Livramento uncertainty for Newcastle
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s round-of-16 clash against Barcelona, Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe said he was unsure whether Tino Livramento would be fit to feature.
Having been out since the start of January, Livramento replaced Lewis Hall in the final 10 minutes of the Emirates FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Manchester City.
Howe said the full-back’s training has been limited, but that the 23-year-old would be among the squad.
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“He probably hasn’t done enough training for me to feel 100% confident that he’s in that best physical moment, especially when it’s such a big game, to start,” Howe said.
“But he’s in our squad, and anyone who’s in that position is in contention to play. It’s a delicate balance with Tino at the moment.
“He trained again this morning and he trained again on Friday and is in good spirits. He’s in a good place. He’s a massive player for us and it’s great to have him back. Obviously, I’ve got to try and get the team selection right.”
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