Carlo Ancelotti addressed the upcoming derby with clear caution about Vinicius Junior, signaling that trust will be earned on the pitch rather than assumed. The match at the Civitas Metropolitano this evening pits Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid in a high-stakes clash set for 21:00 local time. Despite Vinicius having recovered from a muscle injury that sidelined him for several weeks, a temporary stomach illness prevents him from taking part in tonight’s fixture.
Trainers reported that Vinicius trained yesterday, fully equipped and looking fit. On Saturday he appeared to be in excellent shape and ready for action, with the coaching staff stating they would decide the exact role for him the following day, based on his progress and the team’s needs. These remarks came during a press conference held ahead of the match. [citation: Real Madrid communications department]
Social media posts from Real Madrid confirmed that Vinicius pulled out of the meeting at the last moment, reflecting a slight off-field disruption as the team prepared for the derby. [citation: Real Madrid official accounts]
The Italian coach didn’t rush to lock Vinicius into a specific starting position, keeping a door open for a potential late decision. After a month without competitive action, Vinicius’s return to the field was a focal point, particularly following a ribbed-up stretch of match duties. He had sustained an injury in late September during the home clash against Celta, which kept him from contributing for a portion of the season window. [citation: team medical updates]
h2 Vinicius’ injury
In the recent outing, Vinicius logged only 18 minutes before being withdrawn as a precaution. Medical checks subsequently indicated a right femur muscle tear, with an estimated recovery time of about a month. The coaching staff emphasized that any decision would be made with zero risk in mind, prioritizing long-term health and readiness for when the player is fully confident in his conditioning. [citation: medical briefing notes]
From the bench, the discussion turned to conditioning and match readiness. The coaching staff noted that Vinicius would not be risked if there were even a small chance of relapse, stressing that his full recovery remains the priority. The focus was on gradual reconditioning, ensuring that his return would be sustainable across a demanding schedule. [citation: pre-match analysis]
Ultimately, gastroenteritis proved a further obstacle, ruling Vinicius out of the Metropolitano derby. The fixture carries historical weight for Real Madrid, as last season several fans directed racist slurs toward visiting players, leading Atlético Madrid to pledge action against those responsible and to reinforce venue security and stewarding measures for future matches. [citation: club statements and matchday safety briefing]