“We can manage the absence of Mbappé,” says Ancelotti

Real Madrid, which challenges its neighbor and rival Atlético in the Madrid derby on Sunday, can overcome the absence of its new star Kylian Mbappé, unavailable for several weeks due to an injury to the left thigh, its coach said on Saturday Carlo Ancelotti.

“Without Mbappé it is certain that our way of playing will change, but not that much. Because in reality we are used to playing without him, we did it last year. It’s a real shame that he won’t be available to play this match, but I think we can manage his absence.”declared Ancelotti at a press conference.

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Atlético, the last executioner of Real

Real Madrid (2nd, 17 points), reigning Spanish champion undefeated for 39 matches, challenges its neighbor and rival Atlético Madrid (3rd, 15 points), the last team to have beaten it in La Liga on Sunday at the Metropolitano. a little over a year ago, to continue his impressive series.

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The Italian technician expects “as per usual” at a match “complicated, contested, entertaining and very competitive” against a rival who strengthened this summer and who “will fight with us and with FC Barcelona until the end to win the title”.

After a sluggish start to the game, “the team has improved, despite this difficult end to the match on Tuesday (against Alavés, 3-2), we are more united, more compact, more efficient. We are on the right path, and this match is a very important test in that sense. Because having a compact team is essential in this type of meeting”estimated the ex-Milan coach.

Return of Camavinga

Deprived of Mbappé, therefore, but also of David Alaba, Brahim Diaz and Dani Ceballos, Real will be able to count on the return of French international Eduardo Camavinga, who trained with the group with a bandage around his left knee.

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“Camavinga is available tomorrow, he trained well, he recovered well. Now he can play 90 minutes… or on the contrary zero”summarized Ancelotti with his usual sarcasm.

Asked twice about the intention of certain Atlético supporters to go to the match with masks to be able to insult the Brazilian Vinicius Junior without being worried by the authorities, the Madrid coach did not wish to react, assuring that the team had to “concentrate on the game” and leave these matters to justice.