Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Vinicius Junior is expected to be back in action against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Vinicius was expected to be out until the Intercontinental Cup final next week after suffering a hamstring injury last month but he is set to make a return in Bergamo.
He said: “Vinicius is in good shape but we’ve got to assess him. I think it’s very important for him how he does in training today.
“But we’ve got Rodrygo back and Bellingham is good. He’s trained well. They’ll all train today and then later we’ll take a decision.”
Ancelotti has been criticised for not giving enough playing time to young players, he has now revealed that Arda Guler and Endrick will be staying despite being linked with a move away.
He said: “Endrick and Güler will be staying here. I don’t know if they’ll get more game time, perhaps that’s what they need. I have no prejudices around anyone and I try and field the best team regardless of age. Sometimes I feel as though the team looks better with Endrick in it, and others I think the same about Güler.
“The young boys bring added enthusiasm but they have to learn over time as well. Throughout my career I’ve played with guys who were 17 or 18 years old, I picked them because I knew they were going to win games.”
Real Madrid is currently languishing in the 24th position in the Champions League, and Valverde is delighted to have Vinicius back to help the team.
He said: “It’s always a pleasure to play with Vinicius and also to have him as a friend, as a teammate, to have him close to me.
“We’ve seen how eager he is to play and come back. It’s great for us that he can play tomorrow. Whether he plays or not, that’s a question for Carlo Ancelotti, but he can always offer something.”
The Italian manager also emphasised how vital winning against Atalanta is for the team’s chances of advancing to the next stage of the competition.
He concluded: “The match holds nothing less than three crucial points that can aid our qualification efforts,” the Italian manager stated during a pre-match press conference.
“Sadly, it seems we may have to navigate an extra round, but I have unwavering confidence in my team. We’ve made strides, are in a better rhythm, and continue to improve. This match could turn out to be our toughest challenge leading up to the year’s end.”
Real Madrid have won two, and lost three out of their five Champions League matches this season.
Champions League: Ancelotti Confirms Vinicius Return For Atalanta Clash is first published on The Whistler Newspaper