Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior reacts during the Spanish League football match between Real Betis and Real Madrid CF at the Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville on March 5, 2023.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said winger Vinicius Junior would be in the squad to face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga.
The Brazilian has been out since suffering a hamstring injury against Celta Vigo on August 25 but has recovered quicker thanexpected.Vinicius, 23, may start on the bench in the Madrid derby at the Metropolitano where league leaders Real Madrid are looking to maintain their 100 percent 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.
