“We’re close to seeing him”
After more than a year: Ex-Bayern star returns
January 8, 2025 – 8:28 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
After a torn cruciate ligament and a forced break of over a year, ex-Bayern star David Alaba is taking an important step towards his comeback. Coach Ancelotti is still raging.
David Alaba is back in the Real Madrid squad for the first time since tearing his cruciate ligament. After more than a year out due to injury, the former FC Bayern professional returns to the Royal squad for the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah.
“He’s doing very well. We’re close to seeing him,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti. However, he is not yet expected to play in the Supercup: “I don’t know whether tomorrow. We would like to give him time. Maybe it will take a few more days or a week until he is back on the pitch.” Ancelotti was most recently aiming for a comeback around January 20th.
In mid-December 2023, the Austrian Alaba suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his left knee in the league game against FC Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti reacted with displeasure to the two-game ban imposed on his offensive star Vinícius Junior. “Both he and I hear what’s happening in the stadiums, the insults. The suspension is not correct,” said the 65-year-old before the semi-final of the Super Cup against RCD Mallorca in Saudi Arabia on Thursday (8 p.m.). The game is being played there for marketing reasons.
“I’m tired because when people talk about Vinícius being provocative, they distract from the insults he receives from everyone,” continued the World Coach of the Year. In Madrid they are “satisfied in every respect” with the Brazilian’s behavior.
Because of his red card in the catch-up game at FC Valencia, the 24-year-old was suspended for two league games by the arbitration tribunal of the national association RFEF. Vinícius Junior will therefore miss the games against UD Las Palmas (January 19th) and at Real Valladolid (January 26th). However, his ban does not apply to the Supercup. So it could be used there. Theoretically, this also applies to Alaba. The Austrian still has to be patient for his long-awaited return.