Nearly Fit Mbappé Comes On as Real Reach Q-Finals

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Kylian Mbappé was edging closer to full fitness ahead of the Club World Cup quarterfinals, after his side eliminated Juventus 1-0 in the last 16 on July 1.

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MIAMI — Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Kylian Mbappé was edging closer to full fitness ahead of the Club World Cup quarterfinals, after his side eliminated Juventus 1-0 in the last 16 on July 1. The 26-year-old made his long-awaited debut in the tournament as a second-half substitute following a bout of gastroenteritis that sidelined him during the group stage.

Alonso expressed optimism that the France striker would be sharper in time for the quarterfinal clash against Borussia Dortmund on July 5. The German team saw off Monterrey 2-1 in the other last-16 tie on July 1.

“I think day by day he will get better, and by the time of the quarters, he should be in much better shape,” the Spaniard told a press conference at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

“We’ll keep checking in with him every day.”

On Mbappé, Juve coach Igor Tudor said: “How does it change with Mbappé? How do you drive the car? Real Madrid already goes at 200 kilometers per hour, then you add Mbappé and it goes to 250 and 200 is already a lot. With Mbappé, it’s like adding 50 more.”