When Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid square off this weekend, it will be their greatest test of the 2023–24 campaign so far.
According to Sergio Quirante, they will have to take on the task again without Vinicius Jr., one of their key players.
Vinicius poses no dangers.
Injuring himself against Celta Vigo in Real Madrid’s third La Liga match of the year, Vinicius was eventually replaced.
Since then, the 23-year-old has been sidelined for Getafe, Real Sociedad, and Union Berlin’s past three games.
Vinicius may be able to make an early recovery in time for the derby match against Atletico after reports earlier this week claimed that he had resumed working out alone with the ball.
The Brazilian international is almost ready to return after working really hard to try to move up his homecoming date.
Real Madrid, though, is unwilling to take any chances with its best offensive player. As a result, he won’t be hurried back in time for this week’s derby matchup with Atletico Madrid.
Who else won’t be there?
In addition to Vinicius, Real Madrid will be missing four more players due to injury: Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Guler, and Dani Carvajal.
Guler’s comeback is imminent, as the Turkish wonderkid is anticipated to start practicing with the club on Monday. Carvajal will get more scans tomorrow to ascertain the severity of his injuries.
Pablo Barrios, a promising young player from Atletico Madrid, is among those expected to miss the derby due to an injury as well.
