Vinicius Junior will be available for Real Madrid's trip to Villarreal on Saturday despite being given an extra day off after Los Blancos' midweek outing, says Carlo Ancelotti.
Madrid beat neighbours Atletico Madrid 4-2 on penalties after the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, with Antonio Rudiger converting the decisive kick.
Vinicius, who missed a penalty during the 90 minutes that would have sent Madrid through without the need for extra time, then missed training on Friday.
But Ancelotti has reassured fans the Brazilian will be involved in their next outing in LaLiga, saying: "We have given him an extra day's rest because he is still very tired.
"Tomorrow he will be available and at full strength to help us. He doesn't have any problems, just a bit of tiredness."
The Italian coach then backed the 24-year-old following his penalty miss at the Metropolitano Stadium.
"For us, for me, Vinicius is an indisputable player," Ancelotti added. "He may have better or worse games, moments. But I don't dispute that.
"Even if sometimes he doesn't play well, even if he fails, he has been so important for this club that I can't argue with that."
Vinicius has 15 goal involvements in LaLiga this campaign, scoring 10 and assisting five. Only Robert Lewandowski (23), Kylian Mbappe (21), Raphinha (20), Lamine Yamal and Ante Budimir (both 16).
Madrid have had some bumps on the road in their LaLiga title defence, only winning two of their last six matches in the competition.
The defending champions are level on 57 points with leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand and travel to Atletico – in third one point behind the duo – on Sunday.
"We have to make an extra effort," Ancelotti said. "We can't feel fresh, because we haven't had the time needed.
"But we can put other things on the pitch: quality, a good attitude, play an intelligent game... There is not only one way to win. There are many, defending well, for example.
"Obviously, in terms of motivation, you have to push the players more in a game like tomorrow's compared to Wednesday's game against Atletico.
"In the Champions League the motivation comes by itself, tomorrow you have to push more."
yiebikstu
0
how I wish he's injured. such a selfish and immatured player.
Taj_a_war
1
Time to beat Villarreal, Hala Madrid
magnumpi
0
I'm sorry but i was happy when I saw lamine yamal at WWE Friday night smackdown in Barcelona.. I witness greatness
Jotadistz
0
Bro vini won many things for us
okay but try to evaluate things from others people's suggestions.
Jotadistz
0
waste of of resources. Vinicius need special psychologically training. He has not been performing well this year. He needs special training on performance improvement.
Faocdmoty
1
This guy Vinicius needs to be sold to Saudi Arabia. If you watch the ATM match again you would clearly see this guy making his teammates suffer. He was just walking when ATM were attacking. Mbappe and Co were killing themselves with tackles and he was just walking throughout the game. His ego is too big and he is annoying honestly
Bro vini won many things for us
wutbcdinrz
2
The only thing Vinicius has injured is his hurt ego playing second fiddle to Mbappe
kofikudoli
1
This guy Vinicius needs to be sold to Saudi Arabia. If you watch the ATM match again you would clearly see this guy making his teammates suffer. He was just walking when ATM were attacking. Mbappe and Co were killing themselves with tackles and he was just walking throughout the game. His ego is too big and he is annoying honestly
fuceilpry
1
Mourinho said vini looks like M o nkey
Imhereforyou
3
Real Madrid to beat Villarreal 4-1 tomorrow
ttttttttttuser
2
Hala Madrid. Let's beat Villarreal
mbiaks
2
that's gd to know, he really needs to get back to his best
Alpasino72
0
Bookies on Madrid will obviously start dropping dwn