Mbappé Still Out Due to Illness

Kylian Mbappé will not be available for Real Madrid’s upcoming clash against Pachuca this Sunday. The French striker is still recovering from a case of acute gastroenteritis that forced him to miss the opening match against Al Hilal, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Although his condition has improved, head coach Xabi Alonso confirmed that Mbappé will not be included in the squad for this second group stage fixture.

The club is opting to be cautious and allow him to fully recover, possibly eyeing his return for the group finale or knockout stages—should Real Madrid advance.

How His Absence Impacts the Team

Without Mbappé, Real Madrid is forced to reshuffle their attack. In the opening match, Gonzalo García stepped up and found the net. For the game against Pachuca, Xabi Alonso is expected to stick with a similar forward line, likely featuring Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo, relying on pace, movement, and passing combinations.

The midfield will again depend heavily on Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde, who are crucial in both recovery and transition. While the team loses the individual flair and explosiveness of Mbappé, it still has the collective strength to impose its style and dominate the match.

With Mbappé officially ruled out, the Spanish giants face a critical test without their star forward. The Real Madrid vs Pachuca showdown is set for Sunday, June 22, at 3:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. MT / 12:00 p.m. PT, at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It's a must-win for Real Madrid, who will need to prove they can deliver even without their marquee signing.