Real Madrid returned to training on Sunday ahead of their Champions League decider against Bayern Munich, but they were without Kylian Mbappe.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will attempt to overturn their 2-1 first-leg deficit in Munich in what will likely be a last chance for the rookie coach.
Madrid’s title hopes were given a critical blow with a 1-1 draw against Girona, gifting Barcelona a nine-point La Liga lead.
And making matters worse was an elbow from Vitor Reis that left Mbappe bloodied.
Mbappe’s injury update
No penalty was awarded for the incident, and Mbappe has now shown how bad it was with a bloody update from training.
The France captain required stitches and was forced to miss the day’s session, but he isn’t a doubt for Bayern.
Long-term absentee Rodrygo was also out, while Thibaut Courtois undertook an individual session as he hopes to return from injury for the second leg.
Arbeloa backs Mbappe
The incident that left Mbappe wounded infuriated his coach on the touchline and post-match.
“For me, it’s a penalty here and everywhere, and it’s just another one,” Arbeloa said.
“Another one. Another week. It is what it is. I don’t understand it, and I don’t think anyone understands it when VAR intervenes.
“I imagine it intervenes when it’s convenient and when it’s not, it doesn’t.
“These events, in my opinion, support my opinion. It’s a clear-cut foul.
“We’ve had many problems with referees. With this one, last week in Mallorca… The same old story.”
He added: “With all the chances we had and how little we conceded, it was a match with a strong enough lineup to win.
“We should have scored a few more goals, and we leave with this draw.”
Arbeloa was also forced to respond to frequent questions about Mbappe and Vinicius Jr’s ability to play together in the same front line.
“I can’t worry about two players with the numbers they have,” he responded.
“Two of the four or five best in the world. I can’t be worried at all.
“We have to improve many things collectively. Especially against teams that sit back and leave us little space.
“That’s difficult for us, and it has more to do with collective performance than individual performance.
“I hope the drought ends on Wednesday and that we’ll be more clinical.”
On Wednesday, he finished: “We’ll have more time than in the first leg to analyse everything from Tuesday, correct what we didn’t do well, and build on what we did well to do well.
“Wednesday is our game, and we have to go to Germany with all the energy we need, convinced that we’ll win and give it our all there.”
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