Vinicius Junior may return to Real Madrid for his team’s crucial Champions League matchup against fiery Atalanta, Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday. After sustaining a hamstring injury last month, Vinicius was predicted to remain out until the Intercontinental Cup final the following week. However, Ancelotti informed reporters that he may start in Bergamo on Tuesday night. “Vinicius is doing well, but we must evaluate him. How he performs in training today is crucial for him, in my opinion,” Ancelotti stated.
However, Bellingham is doing well, and Rodrygo is back. He has good training. They will all workout today, and we will make a choice later.”
Federico Valverde is eager for Vinicius to return in order to assist Madrid escape their precarious Champions League situation.
With one game remaining in La Liga, Madrid may be two points behind leaders Barcelona, but Ancelotti’s squad is still ranked 24th in Europe’s best club tournament and faces elimination from the play-off spots in Bergamo.
“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,” said Valverde.
“His want to play and return has been evident. The fact that he can play tomorrow is obviously fantastic for us. Carlo Ancelotti will decide whether he plays or not, but he can always contribute.
Atalanta, who defeated AC Milan on Friday to tie a club record of nine consecutive Serie A victories, will likely be the best side in Europe when Madrid plays them.
Despite losing to Real Madrid in the European Super Cup, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, who are now sixth in the Champions League with only one goal given up in five games, has been tabbed as the favorite for Tuesday’s meeting. That victory put Atalanta at the top of Italy’s premier division.
“The game will be challenging. Since the Super Cup, Atalanta has significantly improved and is playing well,” Ancelotti continued.
“They have won several games. And they are fierce competitors. We have a chance to gain points, and we must win these three games in order to advance.
“Qualification is the most crucial factor. It will be challenging for us to pick up those points. We might have to go via the play-offs since it appears like it will be difficult to get in the top eight. Regretfully, it is the current situation.
When playing the 15-time European champions, Gasperini emphasized that his squad is not the favorites and cautioned against being overconfident.
“No team can call themselves favourites when they’re playing Real,” he stated.
“We’re thrilled with our current position, but it doesn’t help to go on to claim that we’re superior to Real Madrid.
“We come into this match on an extremely gratifying run of results and all we can be is happy for what we’ve gifted our supporters.”
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