Mbappe managed indoors as Real Madrid gear up for Real Sociedad test
Kylian Mbappe did not take part in outdoor work during Wednesday’s session as Real Madrid fine-tuned plans for this weekend’s trip to face Real Sociedad. The forward trained indoors on a tailored program, with the club prioritizing workload management ahead of the title run-in rather than signaling a new injury issue.
Star forward works indoors in midweek session
At Valdebebas, the second collective session of the week unfolded without Mbappe on the grass. The striker focused on gym-based strengthening and conditioning designed to keep him fresh for the decisive weeks ahead. Mbappe has been the team’s standout performer this season, amassing 38 goals across all competitions, and preserving his sharpness for marquee fixtures has become a strategic priority.
The approach aligns with recent management of key minutes as the calendar tightens. With a challenging away day at Real Sociedad on the horizon and further high-stakes matches to come, the coaching staff’s emphasis remains on ensuring the club’s leading scorer hits the weekend with optimal readiness.
No fresh injury concern flagged
There has been no indication of a new setback for the French international. The absence from field work on Wednesday was framed as part of a planned regimen rather than a response to an acute problem. That clarity will reassure supporters eager to see him involved in San Sebastián, where his pace, movement, and finishing could be decisive against one of LaLiga’s most organized defenses.
Elsewhere in the squad, rehabilitation programs continue for several long-term absentees. Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo remain in various stages of recovery, with the medical and performance teams calibrating their timelines. Their eventual returns are expected to add depth during the season’s closing stretch, but for now selection decisions will need to account for their ongoing work away from full training.
Title-race stakes underscore selection calls
The stakes surrounding the Real Sociedad match are clear. A win in the Basque Country would move Madrid to the top of the table—at least temporarily—until Monday’s fixture in which Barcelona travel to face Girona. Given the razor-thin margins at the summit, even a single weekend swing could shape momentum heading into the final weeks.
Mbappe’s availability, whether from the start or as an impact option off the bench, looms large in that context. The staff must balance the desire to seize the initiative in the title race with the need to avoid overloading a player central to their ambitions across all fronts. If managed carefully, the midweek indoor work should place the forward in a strong position to contribute meaningfully in San Sebastián.
Squad notes: Mastantuono trains; rehab group progresses
There was a positive update on Franco Mastantuono, who completed training normally after leaving Mestalla with a knock over the weekend and spending Tuesday with the physiotherapists. His availability for the Real Sociedad game now looks settled, handing the staff an additional option in midfield and attack.
Meanwhile, the longer-term rehabilitation contingent—headlined by Militao, Bellingham, and Rodrygo—continues to follow established return-to-play plans. Their reintegration will be staged, ensuring each player meets conditioning and durability benchmarks before rejoining full-contact sessions.
How the matchup could unfold in San Sebastián
Real Sociedad’s compact structure and aggressive midfield pressing often force visiting sides to make quick, clean decisions in buildup. Madrid’s ability to control tempo and break lines may determine how early the visitors can impose themselves. Should Mbappe be held in reserve at kickoff, look for a patient approach that leans on control, with the option to inject speed and directness later. If he starts, stretching the back line from the first whistle could open space for late-arriving midfielders and overlapping fullbacks.
Set pieces and transitions are likely to be critical battlegrounds. Real Sociedad’s discipline without the ball typically limits open-play chances, so maximizing dead-ball opportunities and ensuring defensive rest defense against counters will be central themes.
Club communications and the week’s timeline
On Wednesday, the club’s official website briefly displayed a technical error message indicating a temporary issue under resolution. Team preparation continued as scheduled, with further internal monitoring to determine the matchday squad. As of Wednesday afternoon ET, the plan remains for final decisions to be taken after the concluding session ahead of the weekend trip.
With the title picture finely poised, every selection and minute allocation carries extra weight. The midweek management of Mbappe’s workload suggests a calculated plan to keep him primed for Real Sociedad—and for the pivotal fixtures still to come.
