The Albany Gazette - Real Madrid star Vinicius in contention for Atalanta clash, says Ancelotti

Vinicius was expected to be out until the Intercontinental Cup final next week after suffering a hamstring injury last month but Ancelotti told reporters that he is in contention to start in Bergamo on Tuesday night.

"Vinicius is in good shape but we've got to assess him. I think it's very important for him how he does in training today," said Ancelotti.

"But we've got Rodrygo back and Bellingham is good. He's trained well. They'll all train today and then later we'll take a decision."

Federico Valverde is keen to have Vinicius back to help dig Madrid out of the uncomfortable position in which they find themselves in the Champions League.

Madrdi might be two points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand in La Liga but Ancelotti's team are 24th in Europe's top club competition and risk dropping out of the play-off positions for the last 16 in Bergamo.

"It's always a pleasure to play with Vinicius and also to have him as a friend, as a teammate, to have him close to me," said Valverde.

"We've seen how eager he is to play and come back. Obviously, it's great for us that he can play tomorrow. Whether he plays or not, that's a question for Carlo Ancelotti, but he can always offer something."

Madrid face probably the form team in Europe in Atalanta, who on Friday equalled a club record of nine straight wins in Serie A by beating AC Milan.

That win gave Atalanta top spot in Italy's top flight, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side, who sit fifth in the Champions League having only conceded one goal in five matches, have been tipped by some as favourites for Tuesday's fixture even though they were beaten by Madrid in the European Super Cup.

"It will be a demanding game. Atalanta are in great form and they've improved a lot since the Super Cup," added Ancelotti.

"They've won a lot of games. And they compete very well. We've got an opportunity to pick up points and we've got to take advantage of these three games to qualify.

"The most important thing is qualifying. We've got to pick up those points, and that will be difficult. Getting into the top eight looks a bit tricky so maybe we'll have to go through the play-offs. Unfortunately that's the way it is."

(A.Moore--TAG)