Real Madrid have been dealt a blow with news that Vinícius Júnior is set to miss up to three weeks of action due to a femoral biceps injury in his left leg. The injury follows Los Blancos’ 3-0 win over Leganés, in which the Brazilian provided an assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opener but did not score. Here’s a closer look at the implications:
Impact of Vinícius’ Absence
- Form This Season: Vinícius has been a crucial player for Real Madrid this campaign, contributing 12 goals and eight assists in 18 matches across all competitions. This includes eight goals and seven assists in just 13 La Liga matches, underscoring his importance to Carlo Ancelotti’s attack.
- Timeline for Return: The hope is that Vinícius will recover in time for the FIFA Club World Cup final on December 18, should Real Madrid progress to that stage.
- Key Upcoming Matches:
- November 27: UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
- Several important La Liga fixtures as Real Madrid chase leaders Barcelona, who currently hold a four-point lead.
Real Madrid’s Recent Form
- The win over Leganés marked Madrid’s second consecutive league victory, bringing them to 30 points from 13 matches and maintaining pressure on Barcelona.
- Madrid have looked strong in recent weeks, with players like Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham stepping up alongside Mbappé to provide goals in critical moments.
Head-to-Head with Liverpool
- Real Madrid have a dominant record against Liverpool in the Champions League, winning seven out of 11 encounters, including a memorable 6-2 aggregate victory in the 2022-23 Round of 16.
- In their last two-leg tie, Madrid won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu and routed Liverpool 5-2 at Anfield, with Vinícius playing a starring role in the latter match by scoring twice.
Depth in Attack
While Vinícius’ absence is a setback, Madrid’s squad depth remains strong:
- Kylian Mbappé: In excellent form and capable of leading the attack.
- Jude Bellingham: Proving prolific in front of goal this season.
- Rodrygo Goes: Likely to take on more responsibility on the flanks.
Carlo Ancelotti will need to manage his squad carefully during this period to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
