Frank Christian
Real Madrid faces a significant setback as Vinicius Junior has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, missing the UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool.
The Brazilian player picked up the injury during the latter stages of Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Leganes in La Liga this past weekend.
Vinicius provided an assist to Kylian Mbappe for the first goal but reported discomfort at the end of the match, forcing him to withdraw from the upcoming fixture at Anfield on November 27.
He has pointed out the congested schedule as a contributing factor to his injury, with Spanish news outlet Marca indicating he’ll be out for the next 3-4 weeks.
The 24-year-old has played a crucial role for Real Madrid in recent UEFA competitions, securing the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool, and achieving the same feat during last year’s matchup against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
With 12 goals across all competitions this season, replacing Vinicius will be a tough challenge for Ancelotti as he returns to Merseyside.
Absences for Real Madrid vs. Liverpool
Vinicius isn’t the only Brazilian missing for Real Madrid; Rodrygo Goes also failed to recover from his injury in time.
Additionally, Aurelien Tchouameni will be absent due to a sprained ankle, while David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao remain out with long-term injuries.
On a positive note, the return of seasoned player Lucas Vazquez to the right-back position enables Fede Valverde to shift back into midfield.
Our squad for the match!
@LFC#UCL pic.twitter.com/7icPnnJYEF— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) November 25, 2024
Ancelotti has been alternating tactical setups lately and is likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, moving Kylian Mbappe into a central role.
Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham are anticipated to occupy two positions behind Mbappe, while the third spot remains open due to Vinicius Jr’s absence.
Brahim Diaz is expected to be given the start over Endrick Felipe and Arda Guler, based on his playing time this season.
The Moroccan player, who came off the bench against Leganes, played the final 15 minutes replacing Guler.
