Vinicius Jr ‘back to his best’, says Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti after win over Braga
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Brazil's Vinicius Jr, Neymar and teammates during training in Montevideo, Uruguay on Oct 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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BRAGA – Vinicius Jr has returned to his best form after the winger produced a fine performance to help Real Madrid claim a 2-1 Champions League win over Sporting Braga, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old Brazil international was named Man of the Match as Real stayed three points clear at the top of Group C. Vinicius suffered a hamstring injury in August and was sidelined for a month.
“He’s back to his best. He got the goal, which was ruled out by the narrowest of margins, and he made two assists for Rodrygo and (Jude) Bellingham,” said Ancelotti. “He’s back, and he’s back in form. He made the difference today.
“They (Bellingham and Vinicius) work really well together, with the ball and without it. We have to improve there but they’re both doing a great job.”
The result leaves Real with nine points from three games in Group C, three ahead of Napoli, who beat Union Berlin 1-0 away in Germany.
After a cagey start, Nacho released Vinicius down the left flank and the Brazilian stood Serdar Saatci up before squaring for a sliding Rodrygo to give Real the lead in the 16th minute.
Real briefly thought they had doubled their lead 10 minutes before half-time when Rodrygo slotted the ball into an empty net, but Vinicius had strayed offside as Eduardo Camavinga played him in near the halfway line.
Bellingham doubled Real’s lead in the 61st minute when he stroked the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box after being teed up by Vinicius.
It was his 11th goal in all competitions for Real since joining the record 14-time European champions from Borussia Dortmund ahead of this season.
However, the home side halved the deficit just two minutes later when Alvaro Djalo powered a near-post drive past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spanish side will be looking to book their place in the round of 16 when they host Braga in the return fixture on Nov 8.
Given the nod to start up front, Brazilian attacker Rodrygo will be hoping his goal will ensure his place in the starting XI for Saturday’s El Clasico away to Barcelona.
Speaking to Uefa after the match, Vinicius said of Rodrygo: “I’d say it was good for his confidence to get a goal – particularly ahead of the Clasico.”
Real, who lead the Spanish La Liga on goal difference over Girona (25 points) after 10 matches, are gearing up for a tough trip to third-placed Barcelona, who are just a point adrift.
“After this game, we know exactly what we need to do,” Ancelotti said. “We have time to get ready for it. We’re heading into this incredibly important game full of excitement.” REUTERS, AFP
