Critical juncture for Real Madrids Mbappe Vinicius alliance
French sensation Kylian Mbappe is set to make his comeback for Real Madrids Champions League knockout match against Benfica on Tuesday following a rest over the weekend.
The return of the squads leading goalscorer and standout performer this term brings great relief to manager Alvaro Arbeloa yet it prompts concerns about whether the Spanish giants sacrifice equilibrium when pairing him with Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior up front.
This issue intensifies further with the presence of Jude Bellingham but the English midfielder remains sidelined by injury and will sit out the encounter with Jose Mourinhos outfit in Lisbon.
The trio featured together for Madrid during the league stage against Benfica in late January when Los Blancos suffered a costly 4-2 loss that forced them into this play-off against the Portuguese side once more.
Mbappe netted a brace in that fixture for Madrid and leads the Champions League scoring charts with 13 strikes.
Nonetheless Madrid were dominated and exposed by Mourinhos team who clinched their own play-off position thanks to Ukrainian shotstopper Anatoliy Trubins remarkable 98th-minute headed effort.
Mbappe was left on the bench against Real Sociedad on Saturday due to knee irritation allowing Vinicius to excel as Arbeloas side secured a convincing 4-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Brazilian earned and dispatched two penalties in one of his finest outings amid an inconsistent season.
"Ever since I joined he has delivered matches of exceptional quality... he transcends mere numbers influencing games unsettling defences and drawing multiple markers" raved Arbeloa.
"He ranks among the worlds elite and coaching him is an honour."
Acting as Madrids primary threat versus La Real with ample room to operate Vinicius dictated the contests flow.
Still at Benficas Estadio da Luz he must divide the spotlight with Mbappe.
"(Mbappe) is in fine form. Clearly he has battled these small niggles for much of the campaign" Arbeloa noted.
"Whenever he takes the pitch he gives everything and we chose to play it safe ensuring he is fit to lead the line on Tuesday. That is our plan."
Main concern
Arbeloa has emphasised since taking over from Xabi Alonso in January that he plans to rely on Madrids marquee talents whenever possible.
Alonsos approach of rotating players and promoting based on form clashed with some of the big names whereas Arbeloas tactic of prioritising their satisfaction drawn from ex-Madrid boss Carlo Ancelottis methods appears effective thus far.
Viniciuss performances have surged since Arbeloas appointment following a prolonged dry spell that hindered Alonsos tenure.
However Ancelotti struggled with it too and although the extraordinary talents of Mbappe Vinicius Bellingham and others enable Madrid to overwhelm many rivals they remain vulnerable to tactically astute foes.
Madrids star studded era from 2000 to 2006 faltered with luminaries like Luis Figo David Beckham and Ronaldo claiming few trophies during their time.
Mbappe and Vinicius have voiced their pleasure in teaming up and they gel more effectively now compared to the early days post the Frenchmans summer arrival when their positioning frequently overlapped.
That said neither excels at pressing or defensive contributions which burdens the midfielders and backline.
Post the win over Real Sociedad midfielder Fede Valverde lauded the squads collective effort.
"All contributed tirelessly... it was evident we defended united throughout" Valverde remarked.
If they can sustain that cohesion against Benfica on Tuesday and elite rivals ahead with both Vinicius and Mbappe starting remains the pivotal uncertainty.