Vinicius back for Real Madrid Champions League clash – Ancelotti

Star attacker Vinicius Junior will return from injury sooner than anticipated, according to Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, in time for Tuesday's Champions League match against Atalanta.

The Brazilian winger was likely to miss the Intercontinental Cup final on December 18 due to a hamstring injury he sustained in November.

Ancelotti stated that Vinicius would return the following week, skipping Saturday's La Liga visit to Girona, although he was able to train on Friday.

Ancelotti stated at a press conference on Friday that "Vini has recovered from his injury very well; he will not be ready for tomorrow but he will be for the next Champions League game."

With three losses in their first five European games and a 24th-place ranking in the Champions League group table, Madrid is strengthened by Vinicius' comeback.

Defender David Alaba, who also exercised with the team, was recovering from a chronic knee ailment, according to the coach, and could make a comeback in January.

Due to Vinicius' absence, Kylian Mbappe, the star striker who was fired after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, has been under more scrutiny.

With 10 goals in his first 20 games in all competitions, the French attacker is having trouble finding his best form and missed penalties in losses to Athletic Bilbao and Liverpool in the last two weeks.

Mbappe promised to "change this situation" and reveal his genuine self in a post on the social media platform Instagram.

"He is aware of it; his post following the game shows that he is a player who knows what he is doing, as well as what he can and will do," Ancelotti remarked.

"Obviously, we're with him; he's not playing at his best level, but he knows that, just as many players aren't at their best and don't realise it."

Mbappe's recent La Liga performances against Getafe and Athletic, according to Ancelotti, gave him hope.

Citing Mbappe's sprinting stats, the coach stated, "He improved a lot in the last couple of games in terms of intensity."

Ancelotti acknowledged that the 25-year-old would benefit from relaxing at some point.

We must stand behind him, but it doesn't mean he has to participate in every game. There are occasions when he would benefit from a day off.

The coach said he had "to accept" some criticism, but he thought he was being hammered too much for Madrid's recent performance.

Ancelotti went on to say, "Like stress, criticism is fuel to try and do better."