Davide Ancelotti admits Kylian Mbappe's horror challenge was 'clear red.' Will Madrid forward miss Arsenal clash?
Updated 13/04/2025 at 23:04 GMT+1
Kylian Mbappe was sent off in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win against Deportivo Alaves on Sunday, as Eduardo Camavinga’s goal closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points. But Madrid faces a spell of matches without their top scorer this season following his horror challenge on Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco. With several critical games on the calendar, find out which games he will miss.
'Kylian is not a violent kid' - Real Madrid assistant defends Mbappe but 'not justifying' red card
Video credit: SNTV
Kylian Mbappe was given his marching orders in Real Madrid's La Liga game against Alaves on Sunday after a horror challenge saw the referee brandish a straight red card to the Frenchman - and assistant coach Davide Ancelotti admitted the incident was a "clear red".
Eduardo Camavinga scored the only goal of the game, redeeming himself for being sent off in Real’s Champions League quarter-final first leg loss to Arsenal.
But just four minutes after Camavinga's stunning strike, Mbappe was shown a red card of his own for a terrible foul on Antonio Blanco.
The Madrid forward's right boot crashed into Blanco's leg with his studs up and sent the Alaves midfielder instantly hurtling to the ground. A VAR check left referee Cesar Soto Grado with little choice but to send Mbappe off.
Filling in for father Carlo, who was serving a touchline ban, Davide said: "I haven’t spoken to him since. Kylian isn’t a violent kid - he’s a kid who apologised and understands what he did. It was a clear red card, and he paid the consequences.
"The many small offenses he’s been subjected to have made him react this way, which isn’t right. I’m not justifying him, but that’s what happened."
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Which games will Kylian Mbappe miss through suspension?
It's bad news for Arsenal fans, as Mbappe's suspension will only apply to Madrid's domestic competitions.
As such the attacker will still be available to face The Gunners in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Madrid on Wednesday.
Carlo Ancelotti will be without Camavinga, however, who was given a second yellow card and a subsequent red for kicking the ball away in the latter moments of the 3-0 defeat at the Emirates.
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Kylian Mbappe was sent off at Alaves on Sunday
Image credit: Getty Images
Mbappe could miss Madrid's Copa del Rey final against El Clasico rivals Barcelona on April 26.
In La Liga, a red card usually carries a two-match ban, ruling him out of upcoming games with Athletic Bilbao and Getafe.
But if the foul is later deemed a serious violation, the suspension could be increased, resulting in him missing the final against their great rivals later this month.
| Opponent | Competition | Date |
| Arsenal (H) | Champions League | April 16 |
| Athletic Bilbao (H) | La Liga | April 20 |
| Getafe (A) | La Liga | April 23 |
| Barcelona | Copa del Rey | April 26 |
| Celta Vigo | La Liga | May 3 |
Madrid’s win over Alaves means they cut Barcelona's lead at the top to four points, with just seven games remaining in the league.
"The win gives us confidence," Ancelotti said. "We knew it wouldn’t be easy. What happened in the match made things a little more difficult for us, but winning gives us confidence for what we want to see happen next Wednesday."
April could be a defining month for Los Blancos, as they have the tall order of overturning Arsenal's 3-0 aggregate lead in Europe, as well as that cup meeting with Barcelona.
"Both are difficult, and we’re going to try both. We know we have to earn it, that it’s not enough to have the quality we have, and that some things have to go well," Ancelotti added. "But everyone is convinced we’re going to try in La Liga and in the Champions League as well."
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