Real Madrid hopeful of huge triple injury boost for Champions League game against Atalanta

Real Madrid continue to struggle with a spate of injuries this season. After a crucial LaLiga victory in Girona to bounce back from their defeat at San Mamés and capitalize on Barcelona’s slip-up away to Real Betis, Carlo Ancelotti’s team had to lament two more injuries: Jude Bellingham and Ferland Mendy.

Ferland Mendy injury: how long will he be out for?

Ancelotti had already indicated that Mendy’s injury was the more serious one, ruling him out of the next match in Bergamo. The French left-back has a muscle injury in his right quadriceps, according to the medical report released by the club on Sunday morning, and his recovery is pending further evaluation.

Mendy is expected to be out for about three weeks, which means he will also miss the Intercontinental Cup final that Madrid will play on December 18. Additionally, he will be unavailable for the LaLiga matches against Rayo Vallecano (December 14) and Sevilla (December 22).

Jude Bellingham fitness scare

There is better news regarding Bellingham.

After leaving the field in discomfort following his outstanding performance in Girona, the club confirmed to this newspaper that the Englishman is in good condition and his participation in the crucial match on Tuesday is not in jeopardy. On Sunday, he participated in a recovery session along with the other starters from the match in Catalonia.

Will Vinícius Jr play for Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Champions League?

With Mendy completely ruled out, Ancelotti’s main concerns for the Champions League match were Vinicius and Rodrygo.

Both players have been included in the squad for the game against Atalanta, but their starting positions will depend on their condition in the next couple of days. They trained today with the rest of the substitutes in Montilivi, accompanied by the Real Madrid Castilla team. Besides Mendy, Ancelotti is also missing David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militão and Eduardo Camavinga.

In the squad, in addition to the recent regular Raúl Asencio, who rested in Girona, Ancelotti has included Youssef Enríquez (19) and David Jiménez (20), left and right backs respectively from Castilla. Midfielder Chema (19) is also included again.

Real Madrid squad to face Atalanta

Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin, Mestre.

Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Vallejo, Fran García, Rüdiger, Youssef, Asencio, David Jiménez.

Midfielders: Bellingham, Valverde, Modric, Tchouameni, Arda Güler, Ceballos, Chema.

Forwards: Vinicius, Mbappé, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim.

Real Madrid is seeking a crucial victory against Atalanta to secure their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. They are currently at the bottom of the qualifying zone in 24th place with just six points from five matches.

Article originally written in Spanish, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.

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