Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti provides an update on Federico Valverde’s injury status ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted a late decision will be made on Federico Valverde’s availability for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos will have to overcome their city rivals Atletico if they are to continue the defence of the Champions League trophy they won at Wembley last year.
Real Madrid will have home advantage for the first leg of the last-16 tie, before they make the short trip to the Estadio Metropolitano for next Wednesday’s return leg.
The reigning European champions are sweating over the fitness of Valverde, who has been left out of the last two matchday squads due to a physical issue.
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Ancelotti delivers Valverde update
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s derby clash, Ancelotti admitted that a late decision will be made as to whether Valverde could feature in the first leg.
“He trained [on Sunday] on his own and felt good,” Ancelotti said in Monday’s pre-match press conference. “Today he trains with the team, and after training, we’ll take a decision if he can play or not.”
Usually a midfielder, Valverde has tended to be used as a makeshift right-back in his recent appearances, including the Champions League knockout playoff round tie against Manchester City.
Ancelotti stated that if the Uruguayan failed to prove his fitness in time, the experienced Lucas Vazquez would start on the right side of the back four.
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Asencio, Camavinga likely to start
Defender Raul Asencio and Eduardo Camavinga dropped out of the starting lineups for Saturday’s 2-1 away defeat to Real Betis in La Liga.
Asencio was left out of the matchday squad, while Camavinga was introduced as a substitute in the 59th minute at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
Ancelotti appeared to indicate that the pair would start when asked about the absences of Jude Bellingham and Dani Ceballos.
“I don’t think it’s going to change the idea we have of playing. I don’t think it will change much. We have to take into account that the players who have been rested can have a chance tomorrow: Asencio, Camavinga.
“We have to look at this kind of thing and nothing else. We are not going to reinforce the midfield or remove a forward. We have to keep the same idea.”
Bellingham will serve a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, while Ceballos is expected to be out for around two months with a hamstring problem.
Real Madrid remain without the services of long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, who are out for the remainder of the season with serious knee injuries.
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