Real Madrid get final Kylian Mbappe ban decision ahead of Arsenal Champions League second leg

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has been banned for one La Liga game for his red card against Alaves on Sunday. The 26-year-old was sent off following a reckless challenge on Antonio Blancos.

Shortly after Eduardo Camavinga fired Carlo Ancelotti's side ahead, Mbappe was handed his marching orders after he planted his studs on the inside of Blancos' shin.

Referee Cesar Soto Grado initially decided not to show red to Mbappe, but changed his mind after having a second look at the pitch-side VAR monitor.

Despite fears of an extended ban following the straight red card, it has now been confirmed that Mbappe will only be suspended for one game, according to Spanish news outlet COPE. The article claims that match referee Soto Grado wrote in his match report that the tackle did use excessive force, but the fact that Mbappe went for the ball would result in the application of Article 130.1.

The report adds that this means Mbappe's challenge is punishable by just a single match ban. The Real Madrid forward will now miss the La Liga fixture against Athletic Club at Santiago Bernabau on Sunday, but will return for the trip to Getafe next Wednesday and Copa del Rey final against Barcelona the following Saturday.

As the ban doesn't carry over to the Champions League, Mbappe will be available to face Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in the quarter-final second-leg on Wednesday.

He and his Real Madrid teammates will be looking to avenge the 3-0 deficit suffered at the Emirates Stadium last week, with Arsenal taking a sizeable advantage to Spain.

However, Ancelotti has not ruled out a possible comeback. Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, the Italian said: "Real Madrid has all the resources to turn this tie around.

"We have the quality, the commitment, the experience of many players, and we have the fans. The resources are there; we just have to bring out the best in each of us. In previous years, they didn't say we played spectacular football, which may be the truth. More than spectacular, we want to play effective football."

He added: "What I want is to clearly explain the match strategy to the players. We're going to try something out in training, and I want the player to come onto the field with very clear ideas. I'll try to explain it as clearly as possible. If a player has clarity, he's capable of producing better individual performances."

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