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Vinicius in contention to face Atletico Madrid, according to Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti said that winger Vinicius Junior will be in the squad to face Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.

The Brazilian has been out since August 25 after suffering a hamstring injury against Celta Vigo, but he has healed faster than expected.

Vinicius, 23, might come off the bench in the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano, where league leaders Real Madrid are trying to keep their perfect start to the season.

“Vinicius trained yesterday with the team, he’s in good condition, the injury is forgotten, he trained today very well — he will be in the squad,” said Ancelotti.

“Later, we’ll decide what role he has in the game tomorrow.”

The Italian coach did insist the club would take no risks with Vinicius.

“He trained yesterday because the risk was zero, he trained today because the risk was zero,” said Ancelotti.

“If tomorrow there is one percent risk, we won’t play him.

“The important thing is that Vinicius has recovered, he’s lacking a bit of match fitness but that’s normal, they are things we’ll evaluate tomorrow.”

Last season a group of Atletico fans caused outrage with racist chants outside their stadium aimed at Vinicius before the derby clash in La Liga.

In January, Atletico supporters hung an effigy of the forward near Real Madrid’s training ground, with four fans later fined and banned from games.

“I think that something has changed after last year … there’s a more calm, respectful atmosphere, and I think tomorrow will be the same,” continued Ancelotti.

Ancelotti confirmed midfielder Jude Bellingham was fit for the game after a brief illness troubled him in the week, but Dani Carvajal was still out with a leg problem.

Atletico, seventh, have struggled at the start of the season and were beaten 3-0 last week by Valencia in what their coach Diego Simeone described as the “weakest” performance of his reign.

“Derbies are great opportunities,” added Ancelotti.

“They are special occasions. These are two teams from the capital, two teams with great quality, the game will be very high intensity.”

Atletico coach Diego Simeone believes his team can compete with their city rivals, despite the two sides’ differences.

“Madrid and Barcelona can always afford to have great players, but we’ve always been able to compete with them,” said Simeone.

“So we have to concentrate on ourselves and continue to compete with them as we have done for the last 11 years.”

Atletico have various injury problems, including Thomas Lemar who will be out for months after rupturing his Achilles tendon last weekend.

“As (Pep) Guardiola (the Manchester City manager) said, there are a lot of matches, a lot of travelling, three international breaks before December… but we have to adapt as best we can to this situation,” added Simeone.

The post Vinicius in contention to face Atletico Madrid, according to Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti first appeared on Opinion Nigeria.



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Vinicius in contention to face Atletico Madrid, according to Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti

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