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Vinicius Junior has suffered an injury that will keep him out of the Real Madrid side for a while
Real Madrid's preparations for their crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool have taken a massive hit as star forward Vinicius Junior is set to be sidelined for up to a month.
A thigh tear sustained during the weekend's La Liga victory over Leganes means the Brazilian winger is unlikely to feature again in 2024, posing a significant challenge for Carlo Ancelotti's squad.
Vinicius’ absence to impact Real Madrid’s key fixtures
Vinicius Junior has been Real Madrid’s standout performer this season, with 12 goals and 8 assists in just 18 appearances and has been the most important part of Ancelotti’s setup.
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The timing of his injury is particularly problematic, as Real Madrid face a daunting run of fixtures in both domestic and international competitions.
The Brazilian’s absence will be felt most keenly in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter against Liverpool at Anfield, where Los Blancos need a positive result to bolster their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
In addition, Madrid’s upcoming matches against Getafe, Athletic Club, Girona, and Atalanta will certainly be tougher without Vinicius. The club's schedule also includes the Intercontinental Championship final in Qatar.
Ancelotti hunts for solutions in Vinicius' absence
Vinicius is aiming for a return in late December for their La Liga clash against Sevilla, but his recovery will be closely monitored.
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With Vinicius unavailable, Ancelotti will need to reshuffle his attacking options. Kylian Mbappe, who has 11 goal contributions this season, is expected to take up a more prominent role on the left wing.
With Rodrygo Goes also injured, Real Madrid may be forced to bank on youngsters like Endrick Felipe and Arda Guler, as well as Morocco international Brahim Diaz to complement the French star.
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Additionally, Ancelotti may opt to move Jude Bellingham into a more advanced position to compensate for the creative void left by Vinicius.
Real Madrid’s depth will be tested during this challenging period, and how Ancelotti navigates these matches without his talisman will be crucial for their domestic and European ambitions.
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