Manager Carlo Ancelotti suggested on Monday: Vinicius The junior could return to Real Madrid for the team’s crucial Champions League match against the hotly anticipated Atalanta. Vinicius was expected to miss next week’s Intercontinental Cup final after sustaining a hamstring injury last month, but Ancelotti told reporters he could start in Bergamo on Tuesday night. “Vinicius is doing well, but we need to evaluate him. I think his performance in training today is very important for him,” Ancelotti said.
“But we have Rodrigo back and Bellingham is in good shape. He has been training well. We will all train today and then we will make a decision.”
federico valverde Madrid are keen to have Vinicius back in order to help them get out of the uncomfortable position they find themselves in in the Champions League.
Madrid have a game in hand in La Liga and could be closing in on two points behind leaders Barcelona, but Ancelotti’s side are 24th in the race for Europe’s top clubs and have a chance to win in Bergamo. There is a risk that they will fall out of the playoffs to advance to the top 16.
“It’s always a pleasure to play with Vinicius and to have him close as a friend and teammate,” Valverde said.
“We have seen how keen he is to play and come back. Of course it would be great for us if he could play tomorrow. “It’s a question for Carlo Ancelotti whether he plays or not, but he I can always offer something.”
Madrid will face Atalanta, arguably Europe’s leading team, who defeated AC Milan on Friday to equal a club record nine consecutive wins in Serie A.
With this win, Atalanta moved to the top of the Italian top flight. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side sit fifth in the Champions League after conceding just one goal in five games and are seen as favorites to win Tuesday’s match despite losing to Madrid. in the European Super Cup.
Ancelotti added: “It’s going to be a tough game. Atalanta are in great form and have improved a lot since the Super Cup.”
“They have won a lot of games and they are competing very well. We have a chance to pick up points and we have to take advantage of these three games to qualify. ”
“The most important thing is qualifying. We have to get those points but it will be difficult. It looks a little difficult to get into the top eight so we will probably have to go through the playoffs “Unfortunately, that’s the final game.” ”
Gasperini insisted his side were not favorites and warned them not to be arrogant when facing the 15-time European champions.
“When you’re playing against Real, no team can say they’re favorites,” he said.
“We are very happy with where we are, but to say from there that we are better than Real Madrid is useless.
“We went into this game very happy with the result and we’re just happy with what we gave our supporters.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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