Kylian Mbappe is expected to be back in the starting lineup as Real Madrid get set to face Bayern Munich in a high stakes UEFA Champions League encounter tonight. After spending weeks on the sidelines, his return comes at exactly the moment Madrid would have hoped for.
The French forward had been out for about a month with a knee sprain, missing a run of important games. While Madrid managed to cope, his absence was always noticeable. Few players offer the same mix of pace, movement, and finishing that Mbappe brings, especially in big matches where small moments often decide everything.
🚨💣 𝐄𝐗𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄: The Real Madrid dressing room is fully behind Kylian Mbappé.
The squad is aware of the online criticism he has faced, including claims that he disrupts the dressing room atmosphere.
However, they strongly reject those narratives and firmly believe he… pic.twitter.com/INbdt25TAG
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) April 6, 2026
Timely return for Kylian Mbappe
There were encouraging signs in the last game when Mbappe made his comeback appearance. It may not have been a full return to peak sharpness, but it was enough to show that he is ready to be involved again. That outing seems to have been part of a careful plan to bring him back without taking unnecessary risks.
Now, heading into this clash, the expectation is that he will start. It is a major boost for Madrid, considering the level of opposition. Bayern are not a team you face without your strongest lineup, and having Kylian Mbappe available changes the dynamic completely.
From Bayern’s perspective, his presence adds another problem to solve. Defenders not only have to deal with his speed but also his ability to find space at the right time. Even if he is just returning from injury, he remains one of those players who can decide a game in a single moment.
Madrid seem to have handled his recovery with patience, avoiding the temptation to rush him back too early. That approach could pay off now, with Kylian Mbappe arriving at this fixture in better condition and with minutes already under his belt.
As things stand, all indications point toward him leading the attack from the start. After a frustrating spell out, this feels like the kind of night where he can make an immediate impact again.
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