Vinicius, Rodrygo complete last training session before Atalanta clash

Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who will be a doubt until the last minute, stole the spotlight on Monday at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo (Italy), where Real Madrid completed the final details for Tuesday's decisive clash against Atalanta in the Champions League.

“Vinicius is fine. We have to see the training, as well as Rodrygo and Bellingham. He will train today and then we will make a decision,” said Carlo Ancelotti at the pre-match press conference.

The day before the match was marked by doubts about Vinicus' fitness, whose left femoral biceps injury suffered in the 3-0 win over Leganes on Sunday, November 24th, left him out of his team's last four matches.

The winger took the field at the renovated Gewiss Stadium as normal, as did his compatriot Rodrygo and England's Jude Bellingham, who finished against Girona with an overload. Rodrygo did not play in that match, which ended in a Madrid victory (0-3). 

Madrid will be very limited in terms of absentees in defense. Ferland Mendy is missing from the squad due to a muscle injury in addition to Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and David Alaba, leaving Ancelotti the choice between Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni at centre-back. 

The Frenchman's position, with his compatriot Eduardo Camavinga still sidelined, conditions that of Fede Valverde and the possible starting lineup of Luka Modric, who made his statement with a good game in Girona. Rodrygo, with muscular discomfort, points to be on the bench as a substitute. As Brahim Diaz or Arda Guler, Ancelotti's revulsive players in case the match does not go as expected.

 

December 9, 2024