Carlo Ancelotti believes Vinicius Junior will scoop the Ballon d'Or this season after he netted a hat-trick in Real Madrid's 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
In a repeat of their Champions League final in June, the Bundesliga outfit looked well on their way to exacting revenge at the Bernabeu when Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens had them two goals up at the break.
However, Antonio Rudiger's header on the hour-mark sparked the turnaround, with Vinicius levelling the contest two minutes later to set up an enthralling conclusion.
With Lucas Vazquez completing the comeback, the Brazilian turned on the style in the closing stages, scoring twice to notch his third Los Blancos treble.
Vinicius is tipped to win the Ballon d'Or for his displays during Madrid's Champions League and LaLiga successes last year, with Ancelotti insisting it will be won by the 24-year-old.
"What I can say is that it's rare to see a player who plays a second half like Vinicius did," Ancelotti said.
"And not because of the three goals, but because of his character; he's extraordinary.
"Vinicius is going to win (the Ballon d'Or), not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year.
"These three goals are already going to count for next year's Ballon d'Or, that's for sure. He is a player who gets whistled at because he can make a difference."
Since the start of last season, Vinicius has 50 goal involvements (32 goals, 18 assists) in 53 games in all competitions for Madrid.
But the result looked beyond doubt after a poor first half showing, with Ancelotti's men only managing one shot on target from the nine efforts they attempted.
However, after the interval, Los Blancos took control. They registered a mammoth expected goals (xG) total of 2.41 to Dortmund's 0.09 in the second half.
The victory saw Madrid win a match in the Champions League in which they trailed by two goals at the break for the first time, with Ancelotti revealing there was no panic among his players in the dressing room at half-time.
"We lived it calmly, calmly (over the break). We changed the system and came back playing more intensely," Ancelotti said.
"Talking about scoring three goals might have seemed utopian, so we talked about small details like passing well, winning duels.
We had to win the dynamic of the game and from there you start to win the game.
"We were timid in the first half, we weren't intense on the ball and in the second half we did better with more quality, more pressure.
It was the best second half of the season.
"We have to learn from what we did in the second half. The aim is to start the game and not wait for them to put two past us.
"I don't think we can play 90 minutes with the intensity of the second half but we can be more balanced."
Man City to face Juventus at revamped Club World Cup
Manchester City will launch their Club World Cup title defence against Moroccan side Wydad, while also facing Juventus in the group stage of the revamped tournament.
Pep Guardiola's side are the reigning champions having lifted the title in 2023, following their 4-0 victory over Brazilian club Fluminense in the final.
City are also joined by Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Group G of the 32-team tournament in 2025, which will take place in the United States between June 15 and July 13.
Reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid have been drawn alongside Red Bull Salzburg, Pachuca and Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal in Group H, meaning Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could be in line for a reunion.
That duo's former club, Paris Saint-Germain, are joined by Atletico Madrid in Group B.
Chelsea will play Flamengo, Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunisie in Group D, as Bayern Munich and Benfica are paired together in Group C.
Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were somewhat contentiously included. They won MLS' Supporters' Shield, yet were dumped out of the playoffs by Atlanta United.
Miami will face Porto, Palmeiras and Al-Ahly in Group A.
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al-Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Auckland City.
Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, Club Leon, Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Group E: River Plate, Inter, Monterrey, Urawa Red Diamonds.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Man City, Juventus, Wydad AC, Al-Ain.
Group H: Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg, Al-Hilal, Pachuca.
Nuno expects tough test versus Amorim's Man Utd
While Nuno Espirito Santo remains uncertain how Ruben Amorim will set Manchester United up on Saturday, he expects Nottingham Forest to face a tough test at Old Trafford.
Forest were beaten 3-0 by Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday, their third defeat in their last four games.
However, they remain within touching distance of the top five ahead of a second successive away game in Manchester, where they will face Ruben Amorim's United.
United suffered their first defeat under the former Sporting CP coach on Wednesday, going down 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
With Amorim still getting to grips with his new squad, Nuno does not know what tactical challenges to expect but is certain United will present a major challenge.
The former Wolves boss said: "Their results are difficult to predict because Ruben in this moment is changing a lot.
"I think he is trying to get to know players better. The idea is there, we don't know exactly who is going to play, but for sure they have quality players.
"They are quality and have talented players. The shape is there. The personnel and the players... we cannot identify who is going to start, but our approach is always the same.
"Let's focus on the things they have been doing but also let's look at getting the advantage. It is always a tough place to go but let's focus on being positive on the game."
United conceded two goals from corners in their midweek defeat to the Gunners, prompting defender Matthijs de Ligt to demand improvements.
"In the end, we are Manchester United," De Ligt told MUTV. "We lost again and, yeah, it's easy, it's not good enough.
"So, we know that, we will work hard. We have to improve, and in two days or three days is the next game, so that will be a really important one again for us, to show again what we learned from this game and get the three points."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has been involved in 11 goals in his last 10 appearances at Old Trafford (four goals, seven assists), having a hand in six goals in his last four in the Premier League (two goals, four assists).
He's never scored or assisted in five in a row in the league at Old Trafford, while Marcus Rashford was the last United player to do so overall (seven in 2022-23).
Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood
Wood has scored 12 goals in his last 14 away Premier League starts for Nottingham Forest, netting in three in a row before Wednesday's defeat at the Etihad.
He missed a glorious chance while Forest were a goal down last time out and will be determined to atone here.
MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
Man United have won six of their seven Premier League home games against Forest, with the exception being a 2-1 loss in December 1994.
They have also scored in all 14 of their Premier League games against Forest, their joint-best 100% scoring record against an opponent in the competition along with Swansea City.
The Red Devils have won 3-0 against Leicester City and 4-0 against Everton in their last two Premier League home games.
They have not scored three or more goals in three consecutive home league games since February 2021, while they last did so while winning each time in December 2018.
With United also beating Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Amorim has won both of his home games in charge of the side so far – only five managers have won their first three at home with the Red Devils, most recently Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018-19.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester United – 55.9%
Nottingham Forest – 21.4%
Draw – 22.7%
Neuer banned for two domestic cup matches after Leverkusen red card
Manuel Neuer has received a two-match domestic cup suspension following his red card against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
The Bayern Munich captain was sent off for the first time in his decorated career during their 1-0 defeat in the DFB Pokal at the Allianz Arena.
Neuer was given his marching orders in the 17th minute by referee Harm Osmers, after racing out of goal and bringing down Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong.
"The player is also banned from all of his club's other cup matches until the ban expires," the DFB confirmed in a statement.
"According to established DFB case law, the prevention of an obvious scoring chance by a non-serious foul without subsequent scoring usually entails a two-match suspension."
With the ban only applying to domestic cup matches, Neuer will not serve it until next season.
Although, with his contract expiring at the end of this campaign, the 38-year-old may have made his final appearance in the DFB Pokal.
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