Real Madrid will field Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr. in Thursday’s Champions League match against AEK Athens, despite his ongoing suspension in the Spanish league.
Tuesday
Coach José Mourinho confirmed that Vinicius will start in the upcoming European fixture, while midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and defender Bafetimbi Gomis were left out of the squad.
Wednesday
Real Madrid faces AEK Athens in Athens at 18:45 local time, broadcast on Movistar. The match offers a brief period of optimism for the club after a turbulent previous season.
Current status
Vinicius remains suspended for one more La Liga game but is eligible for the Champions League tie. Madrid hopes the European win will restore confidence.
Why it matters: The selection underscores Real Madrid’s reliance on Vinicius for attacking play while navigating disciplinary setbacks, a situation that could affect the club’s performance in both domestic and continental competitions, relevant to fans across the Middle East and Egypt who follow European football.