Following their recent victory against Celta Vigo on Friday, Real Madrid’s attention has swiftly turned to their pivotal upcoming fixture: the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The Spanish giants, who aspire to claim their 16th Champions League title, are considered underdogs for this encounter, particularly given Manchester City’s earlier league phase win at the Bernabéu this season.
With key players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham anticipated to be absent from Wednesday’s match, a significant portion of Real Madrid’s attacking prowess will rest on the shoulders of Vinicius Junior. According to reports from Real Madrid TV (via MD), Vinicius is eagerly anticipating the challenge of facing Manchester City once more, while also stressing the critical role of the club’s supporters.
“We must perform at our absolute best in the Round of 16 against a formidable opponent like Manchester City,” Vinicius stated. “But we have the advantage of playing at home, in front of our fans, with everyone’s backing. We need immense support from them in a season that has presented us with tough matches, and we, in turn, must deliver our finest performance on the pitch.”
Vinicius: Tiredness Against Celta Vigo
Speaking to RMTV after the Celta victory, Vinicius acknowledged that fatigue contributed to his less-than-optimal display at Balaídos.
“Today, I felt a bit tired. I’ve played numerous games in recent weeks,” he admitted. “However, you have to be ready for crucial matches. It’s time to get ample rest at home for Wednesday; we have time to recover properly to play a good game and ensure our fans are with us.”
Vinicius has demonstrated exceptional form over the past couple of months. Real Madrid will undoubtedly require him to be at his peak against Manchester City if they hope to maximize their chances of advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals.
