Real Madrid suffer injury blow before Girona match

Real Madrid have confirmed that Brazilian forward Rodrygo pulled out of the squad for Saturday night's La Liga meeting with Girona.

Rodrygo only returned to full fitness last weekend, recovering from a muscular problem to start Sunday's 2-0 victory over Getafe. The 23-year-old was again called upon for Madrid's midweek trip to Bilbao, but failed to help his side avoid a damaging 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club.

Ahead of an away game with eighth-placed Girona, Real Madrid officially confirmed that Rodrygo was one of three players to drop out of the squad, joining youngsters Gonzalo Garcia and Chema Andres on the sidelines.

Rodrygo isn't the only Brazilian winger Ancelotti will be without. Vinicius Junior has been sidelined for the past two weeks with a thigh injury he sustained during a convincing 3-0 victory over Leganes. Kylian Mbappe was restored to his favoured position on the left wing in that outing while Vinicius moved through the middle, a tactical tweak that seemed to benefit both players.

However, Vinicius has not appeared again since and Rodrygo surprisingly drifted out onto the left flank for much of the midweek defeat to Athletic Club, leaving Mbappe sulking through the centre.

While there is no return date for Rodrygo just yet, Ancelotti confirmed that Vinicius would be part of Madrid's squad for a daunting Champions League fixture against Atalanta on Tuesday night.

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