Carlo Ancelotti confirmed Brazil winger Rodrygo will return to action for Real Madrid this weekend in their LaLiga encounter against Getafe on Sunday.
Rodrygo has missed the last two games after sustaining a muscle injury in Madrid's win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu earlier this month.
It provides a welcome boost for Los Blancos, who are still licking their wounds from their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League in midweek.
That loss also came with an injury to midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who joins David Alaba, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Vinicius Junior and Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines.
"Rodrygo will be back tomorrow, Tchouameni will be back next game and Camavinga will be back soon," Ancelotti told reporters on Saturday.
Ancelotti's side entered the weekend second in the LaLiga table, four points behind rivals Barcelona, but have the comfort of an extra game in hand.
They welcome Getafe to the Bernabeu and have confidence in closing the gap at the summit, having won 18 of their last 21 games against Geta Azulones in LaLiga (D2 L1), scoring a total of 51 goals.
"In many years of my career, only one year has been quite easy: last year," Ancelotti added. "All the other years I have had to solve problems. Sooner or later, the problems come.
"It is impossible to think of a season like last year when everything went perfectly.
"It's better to find the problem in November or December than in April or May. Now the problem can be solved and, as I said, we are going to solve it.
"We are fighting for the league against a rival that is doing very well. The [Club] World Cup is coming, the Super Cup ... and above all the injured players are coming back.
"We have to endure the moment with a good attitude and commitment because the good things are yet to come."
The Italian continued to back 25-year-old France forward Kylian Mbappe, who had another subdued performance in Madrid's loss to Liverpool as he failed to trouble the Premier League club's defence and missed a penalty in the second half.
The Frenchman had ended a four-game run without a goal in all competitions in their last LaLiga match, netting the opener against Leganes, but managed just two shots during the trip to Anfield, with his saved penalty the only effort on target.
"He's aware that he has to do better, but he and everyone. We have to keep supporting him and think that it's a collective problem but not an individual one," Ancelotti said.
"The team's dynamic in LaLiga has improved a lot in the last two games, we have to bear in mind that we are missing a lot of players. Rodrygo returns tomorrow and we must be patient."
Long overdue: Busby, Shaw celebrate winning homecoming as Girlz outclass Banyana Banyana
Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby and captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw spoke glowingly about the team’s emphatic display in their opening friendly international against South Africa as they highlighted the 3-0 win as a special homecoming for the core World Cup group, who last played in Jamaica over a year ago.
Shaw led the charge with a brace, and Siobhan Wilson scored a stunning opener in the performance that offered a blend of triumph and promise at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday.
With the win marking their first victory since the Fifa Women’s World Cup group stages last year, an elated Busby called it “long overdue” as he also praised the crowd’s support. The second game is scheduled for Monday at the same venue.
“First, it was a great result, long overdue; and secondly, we’re just absolutely thrilled to have the people and the fans supporting us. We’re blessed to have one of the best strikers [Shaw] in the world playing in a Jamaica jersey, and it is great to have her back,” Busby said at a post-game press conference.
The match saw Jamaica dominate the proceedings, as Shaw struck in the 55th and 83rd minutes after Wilson’s opener in the 43rd. Despite the commanding scoreline, Busby emphasized that the focus was on executing a complete team performance.
Reggae Girlz Head coach Hubert Busby (left) in discussion with assistant Deon Burton.
“We’re here to win football matches, but really it’s about the performance. We talked about completing a 90-minute performance, and I was really pleased. I think for us, the connector was making sure that we're keeping the ball moving and supplying the balls to our forward, but also making sure that we're dictating the tempo,” Busby shared.
“We haven't done a good enough job at keeping clean sheets recently, and that has been a foundation for our success last year, so that’s also a really positive aspect to take from this game,” he noted.
The coach also heaped praise on 19-year-old goalkeeper Liya Brooks, who made her debut and impressed with a composed display.
“She looked like a veteran, flawless, as if she'd played 20 games. It speaks to the depth of the programme we’re building. So, I am really happy for her and the team as a whole because we really defended well and kept the shape,” Busby shared.
With the Reggae Girlz looking ahead to the qualification cycle for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Busby stressed the importance of building depth and nurturing young talent as his team still has room for growth.
“Look, everyone who's eligible to play for Jamaica is under consideration. I think it's not just about bringing players in; it's about improving the ones we have as well, creating a culture of excellence, and ensuring that it's a competitive environment. So we’re always looking for players who can add value to the group,” said Busby.
“So it is about making additions to improve it if need be. We had about six teenagers in the group coming in to this game as well, so really pleased to have those players and see how they kind of matriculate to the system as well,” he added.
For Shaw, the match was not just a victory but a personal milestone. After a difficult recovery from injury, she returned in style, showcasing the poise and sharpness that have made her one of the world’s premier forwards.
“Yeah, long 14 months away, but it’s good to get back in the rhythm, reconnect with the coaching staff and players, and I am just happy to get the result,” she said.
“It’s always good to put the jersey back on; the past months were difficult with my injury, but I worked on myself mentally and physically to ensure I was fully fit to return. Back home, in front of my people and family, it’s an amazing feeling,” Shaw declared.
The Manchester City striker’s determination to keep improving was evident, even as she celebrated her brace.
“I missed a chance just before I scored the second goal. Even though I’m scoring, I think I can go even higher with what I’m capable of so I always look for ways to improve,” she said as she pointed out that environment plays a crucial role in her success.
“The environment makes or breaks you. The support around me, both at the club and national levels, helps me flourish. I just have to keep improving and growing, on and off the field,” Shaw ended.
Victory over Villarreal would breathe life into Girona's campaign, says Michel
Michel believes Girona will inject some life back into their faltering campaign by picking up a win against Villarreal in Sunday's LaLiga fixture.
Girona were dealt another blow in the Champions League in midweek, as they lost 1-0 to Austrian side Sturm Graz on Wednesday.
They are the first Spanish team in Champions League history to lose four of their opening five matches in the competition.
Girona are eighth in LaLiga heading into their meeting with fourth-placed Villarreal, having won their last three matches in Spain's top flight, while scoring four goals in two of them.
"Despite the hard blow in the Champions League, now we have to bounce back and continue with the dynamic we had in LaLiga," Michel told reporters on Saturday.
"If we win tomorrow the team will get some oxygen back.
"Villarreal are in a great moment. And to be as high up as possible we have to win games like tomorrow's match," Michel added.
"If we win we can look at the top. But it's a very difficult game. Villarreal in defence are always in balance to make a quick attack. In two or three passes they can have a chance to score."
Michel said striker Viktor Tsygankov, who has struggled with a hamstring injury since early October, is a doubt for the match along with Yaser Asprilla.
"We have concerns regarding Tsygankov and Asprilla, as both finished the previous match with discomfort," Michel added.
"Tsygankov is experiencing an ankle issue, while Asprilla has a strain in his adductor muscle. We'll see how they feel tomorrow."
Villarreal have won six of their last seven meetings with Girona (L1) in all competitions, as many victories as in their previous 12 clashes (W6 L6).
Barcelona 1-2 Las Palmas: Visitors spoil 125th anniversary celebrations with shock win
LaLiga leaders Barcelona lost their first home game of the season as they were beaten 2-1 by relegation-threatened Las Palmas on the day of their 125th anniversary celebrations.
The result extended Barcelona's winless run to three league matches, following a draw at Celta Vigo and defeat to Real Sociedad earlier this month. Hansi Flick's side remain top of the table on 34 points, four clear of second-placed Real Madrid who have two games in hand.
Las Palmas, meanwhile, have moved up to 14th place on 15 points following the victory.
The strugglers opened the scoring in the 49th minute through Sandro Ramirez, who scored with a fantastic finish. The lead only lasted 12 minutes though, with Raphinha getting the hosts back on terms with a left-footed effort past ex-Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen.
But the visitors surprised everyone by getting ahead once again in the 67th minute. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Fabio Silva snuck through the offside trap to get on the end of a pass from Javi Munoz.
Silva shrugged off a home defender before finding the net to help his side secure a famous victory.
Data debrief: Barcelona wobble gives hope to chasing pack
Barcelona's defeat at the Olympic Stadium was the first match in nine home games this season that they have failed to win.
While they lead second-placed Real Madrid by four points and third-placed Atletico Madrid by five points, both have at least one game in hand over the Catalans.
Barcelona now go into back-to-back away games in LaLiga, having won just two of their last five on the road.
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