Real Madrid suffer Vinicius Junior injury blow ahead of Atletico Madrid draw

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior picked up an injury ahead of Sunday's 1-1 draw with city rivals Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian was expected to start up front alongside his compatriot Rodrygo after initially being named in the Real Madrid lineup.

However, with less than five minutes before kickoff at the Santiago Bernabeu, reports began to emerge that Vinicius had been taken out of the starting XI after pulling up injured in the warm-up.

Joselu was originally picked as Vinicius' replacement, before Carlo Ancelotti opted to start Brahim Diaz in a front-two pairing with Rodrygo.

Brahim certainly left his mark on the game, turning the ball home from close range to give Real Madrid a 20th-minute lead.

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The Spaniard's strike kept the hosts in front for the majority of the contest until Marcos Llorente scored a dramatic equaliser to ensure that the Madrid derby finished all square.

Although Vinicius was named among the substitutes, Ancelotti decided against risking the Brazil international in the 1-1 draw.

Speaking about Vinicius after the game, Ancelotti told reporters: "He had a cervical contracture, he tried to warm up but he was not comfortable and those [Brahim and Joselu] were the two options.

"But we approached the game defensively and Brahim allowed us to stick to that approach. Joselu came on later and did well."

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Vinicius's absence will be a concern after the forward missed the final seven matches of 2023 due to a thigh injury.

In addition to Vinicius, Real Madrid will also have to assess Antonio Rudiger, who missed the Madrid derby with an injury that he sustained in the win over Getafe.

Ancelotti will hope to have Vinicius and Rudiger available for Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Girona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Having picked up 58 points from 23 matches, Los Blancos are currently sitting in pole position with a two-point lead over second-placed Girona.