Xabi Alonso ‘optimistic’ about Mbappé’s return against Juventus

Mbappé hasn’t yet featured in the competition, having been hospitalised with gastroenteritis last week.

Vinicius Junior has scored one goal and provided one assist in three appearances in the Club World Cup, and Xabi Alonso was asked whether Mbappé could join the Brazilian in the Real Madrid attack in the next match.

Xabi Alonso confident about Mbappé’s return

“They can do it, Vini from the outside, Kylian from the inside… It’s not mutually exclusive; things can work, there’s individual quality, but we need the team to function. All together, not one, one, one,” said Xabi Alonso, via Goal.com.

“We want [Mbappe] back, we expect him to be in the best possible shape. I can’t say he’ll play, but we’re optimistic for Tuesday.”

Real Madrid won Group H, collecting seven points, while Juventus finished second in Group G with six points.

The Bianconeri won the first two matches against Al Ain and Wydad, but lost 5-2 to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their final group stage game on Thursday.