Kylian Mbappe has returned to Real Madrid's squad for the Supercopa de Espana final against Barcelona tonight. The French forward missed the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Thursday with a knee sprain but flew to Saudi Arabia the next day after recovering from his injury.
It was a massive boost for Alonso as he looks to win his first trophy since replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the summer. He has been under pressure in recent months especially with his Los Blancos side trailing Barca in the La Liga title race.
But the Atleti win has helped turn the tide and it seems Madrid are now backing the Spaniard. He could further solidify that he is the man to take the club into a new era if he beats the Catalans for a second time tonight.
All eyes are on Mbappe and whether he will start El Clasico given he has only just returned from injury. But a place on the bench might just be part of a plan that works a charm for Alonso.
Kylian Mbappe set to start on the bench
Alonso revealed that Mbappe was considered for the Atleti game but Madrid chose not to risk him. This allowed him to further get back to full fitness for the final and potentially start El Clasico.
Marca reports that Mbappe is going to be on the bench for the Supercopa showdown in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Alonso will be going with Gonzalo Garcia to lead the line for the third game in a row and the Spanish striker will be eager to replicate his stunning performance when he scored a hat-trick against Real Betis in a 5-1 win.
But the decision not to start Mbappe might not just be down to his fitness. It could be part of a plan to make the most of a Barca side that will be tired from an exhausting first-half between the two sides.
Introducing Mbappe in the second-half could benefit Madrid whether they are winning or losing. He can change a game in the blink of an eye and be the difference maker.
But Gonzalo can also exploit Barca's high line and that might put Los Blancos in a good position heading into the second 45 minutes. Alonso could also have the future in mind as his side are still in the title equation and need to improve in the Champions League.
Kylian Mbappe's record against Barcelona
Mbappe has come up against Barca nine times in his career, including during his time at Paris Saint-Germain. The Frenchman has been deadly in those games, finding the back of the net 12 times including in El Clasico in October.
The 27-year-old was unfortunately part of the Madrid side that lost 5-2 in last season's Supercopa final. But he also scored in that game and could be eager to keep up his impressive tally against the Catalans tonight.
So late on in the game he could punish a Barca defense that will be fatigued. Alonso might have got this call spot on.