Injury Concerns for France Captain

The 27-year-old French captain, who matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid during their 2-0 victory over Sevilla on December 20th, is now dealing with a left knee sprain.

Coach Remarks on Squad Adjustments

“We will certainly feel Kylian’s absence,” Alonso told the media. “It’s essential for us to have confidence in those stepping up to play tomorrow.”

“Currently, it’s important to monitor the situation and strive to bring him back as quickly as possible,” he added. “We will push the limits; it heavily depends on how he feels. The question is, when can that be? I can’t say for sure. Perhaps the Super Cup? That’s our hope.”

Mixed Results in Recent Games

Alonso’s team was leading the LaLiga standings by five points before experiencing a decline in performance in November. They drew three consecutive league matches, followed by a surprising home defeat to Celta Vigo in December, which allowed reigning champions Barcelona to overtake them in the title chase.

This dip in form has coincided with a goal drought for Vinicius Jr. The 25-year-old Brazilian winger, who netted 22 goals last season, has managed just five goals across all competitions this season and has not scored since October.

Coach’s Take on Player Morale

When questioned about Vinicius’ state of mind after facing boos from sections of the crowd in the recent game against Sevilla at the Bernabeu, Alonso responded, “Vini appears to be in good spirits, cheerful and smiling. This break has been beneficial for all of us to recharge.”

“Tomorrow, we must be the ones to give our all in order to receive, sharing the enthusiasm and rhythm we need. If this energy circulates effectively, we will have a great time.”

Stay updated on Real Madrid vs Real Betis with Flashscore.