Vinicius Jr ‘Tired but Available’ for Villarreal Clash, Says Ancelotti

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr will be available for their LaLiga game at Villarreal on Saturday, coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed following the Brazilian missed team training given an extra rest day.

After a torturous 30 minutes of extra time following their Champions League last-16 clash on Wednesday, Real Madrid 4-2 on penalties. Local media said Vinicius stayed inside the club’s premises instead of training with the squad on Friday, their last session before their league game.

“We have given him an extra day’s rest because he is still quite tired,” Ancelotti said during a news conference.

“Tomorrow he will be here, fully strong to assist us. He is merely somewhat tired; he has no problems.

The Italian coach supported Vincius Jr., who missed a late second-half penalty against Atletico.

“For us, for me, Vinicius is an indisutable player,” Ancelotti said. “He might have either better or worse moments and games. I do not challenge that, though.

“Even if occasionally he doesn’t play well, even if he fails, he has been so important for this club that I cannot argue with that.”

Having won two of their past six games, Real has had some hiccups on the road in their LaLiga title defense; they are second in the table.

Level on 57 points, Barcelona, the reigning champions have a game scheduled and will be traveling to Atletico – in third and with one point less – on Sunday. Villarreal is fifth.

“We have to make extra effort (on Saturday).” Ancelotti stated.

“We haven’t had the time required, so we cannot feel fresh. On the pitch, nevertheless, we can also place other values: quality, a decent attitude, intelligent game play. One does not have only one means to win. There are several, defending well, for instance.

After their midweek Champions League game, he said, his team would need more drive for Saturday’s game.

” Clearly, in terms of drive, you have to push the players more in a game like tomorrow’s than in Wednesday’s game against Atletico,” Ancelotti said.

“In the Champions League the incentive comes by itself; tomorrow you have to push more.”