On Sunday, Kylian Mbappe received a straight red card during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Alaves. A disgraceful lunge on Antonio Blanco meant that the referee had no option but to send him off. With the offence coming under ‘violent conduct’, Mbappe was facing a ban of anything from one to three games. But because the referee’s report generously suggested that he was ‘disputing the ball’, he has been given the least punishment.
He will miss the LaLiga game against Athletic Bilbao on April 20, but be back in domestic action for the showpiece El Clasico – the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26 in Seville. Barcelona have won the two previous meetings between the clubs this season by an aggregate score of 9-2.
Barcelona currently lead Real by four points in LaLiga, and are already through to the last four of the Champions League. Real have a mountain to climb on Wednesday night to overturn a 0-3 first-leg deficit against Arsenal in their quarter final. Fortunately for them, Mbappe will be available, with domestic bans not impacting a player’s appearances in European competition.