Real Madrid face a must-win situation in Sunday's El Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou, as anything less than victory could effectively end their La Liga title hopes. However, their challenge has grown significantly steeper with a growing injury list that now includes star forward Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé was initially expected to feature in some capacity for this crucial clash, but he was notably absent from manager Alvaro Arbeloa's squad announced Sunday morning. According to Diario AS, the French superstar was unable to complete Saturday's training session due to physical discomfort. While he had been penciled in for minutes off the bench, the medical staff ultimately decided against risking him.

This latest setback adds to an already depleted Real Madrid roster. The club was already without Fede Valverde, who suffered a concussion following a training ground altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni. Defensive stalwarts Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao remain sidelined with injuries, while young talent Arda Guler is also unavailable.

For a team already fighting an uphill battle in the title race, losing a player of Mbappé's caliber is a significant blow. There's cautious optimism that he might return for Thursday's match against Real Oviedo, though that game could be rendered meaningless if Barcelona avoid defeat in El Clásico.

On a brighter note, Real Madrid will have star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois back between the posts after his return from injury. The Belgian international is set to start at Camp Nou, providing some much-needed stability as the team navigates this critical juncture in their season.

With the title race hanging in the balance and key players missing, this El Clásico promises to test the depth and resilience of Carlo Ancelotti's squad like never before.