Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Vinicius Junior will make his long-awaited return to the squad for next week’s Champions League clash against Atalanta, after recovering ahead of schedule from a thigh injury.
The Brazilian forward, who was initially expected to be sidelined for around three weeks, has made significant progress in his rehabilitation and is set to rejoin the team for Tuesday’s pivotal European match. Ancelotti confirmed that Vinicius will not feature in Madrid’s upcoming La Liga game against Girona on Saturday, but he will be available for the Champions League encounter.
“Seeing Vinicius back is good news,” Ancelotti said at a press conference ahead of the Girona match. “He has recovered very well. He won’t be ready for tomorrow, but he will be ready for the Champions League.”
David Alaba’s Return Still Some Weeks Away
In other injury news, defender David Alaba, who has been out of action for almost a year, has returned to training but will not feature for Real Madrid for a few more weeks. Ancelotti revealed that the Austrian is progressing well but will need more time to fully recover before making his return to competitive action in January.
“Alaba has helped us a lot in training, but he needs another month,” Ancelotti explained. “He will be back in January. The deadline for him is next year.”
Pressure Mounting Ahead of Vinicius’ Return
Madrid’s recent results without Vinicius have added to the pressure ahead of his return. After suffering a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in their first match without the winger, the team bounced back with a 2-0 win over Getafe. However, a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club has once again raised questions about their form, with fans eagerly anticipating Vinicius’ return to help spark the team’s attacking play.
With the Brazilian set to return against Atalanta, Real Madrid will be hoping to put their recent setbacks behind them and regain their momentum in both La Liga and the Champions League.
