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

Vinicius Júnior is in the frame to return to the Real Madrid line-up on Tuesday, as the European champions bid to turn their Champions League campaign around in a crunch clash away at Serie A leaders Atalanta.

Vinícius has missed Madrid’s last four games with a hamstring injury sustained in the LaLiga win at Leganés on November 24, but has returned to Los Merengues' matchday squad for the trip to Bergamo.

Vinícius “in good shape”, Real Madrid boss says

Speaking to reporters after the team’s arrival in Italy, Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said he would wait until after the players' final pre-game training session later on Monday before making a decision on the Brazilian’s involvement in the matchday-six clash at Gewiss Stadium.

The Italian added that he would also use the practice session in Bergamo to run the rule over the fitness of Vinícius’s compatriot, Rodrygo Goes, who sat out Madrid’s weekend win over Girona with a muscle injury.

“He [Vinícius] is in good shape,” Ancelotti said. “Today’s training session will be very important, as will also be the case with Rodrygo. The only fitness doubts we have are over Vinícius and Rodrygo. After training, we’ll make a decision.”

While Vinícius and Rodrygo are poised to return, Madrid are without Ferland Mendy (quadriceps) and Eduardo Camavinga (hamstring), as well as long-term injury victims David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Éder Militao (all ACL).

Could Real Madrid go out of the UCL?

Madrid head into the Atalanta clash sitting in a precarious position in the Champions League’s new ‘league phase’. After back-to-back defeats to AC Milan and Liverpool, Los Blancos are down in 24th in the 36-team table, whose bottom 12 finishers will be knocked out of Europe. The top eight teams will qualify automatically for the last 16, while the clubs in ninth to 24th will have to negotiate a playoff round to reach the knockout stage proper.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid: when, where, how to watch?

Atalanta host Real Madrid at Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday December 10, 2024, with kick-off in Bergamo scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET/12 noon PT. Viewers in the US can watch the game on TUDN USA, UniMás, Paramount+ and ViX. You can also stream the action on the online platform fubo, which offers a free trial.

While Madrid are battling to avoid early elimination from the Champions League, Atalanta go into matchday six in a good position to clinch direct qualification for the last 16. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are fifth in the standings, having remained unbeaten in their opening five games. In their most recent Champions League outing, Atalanta thrashed Swiss club Young Boys 6-1 in Bern.

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