Jose Mourinho said Vinicius Junior will be in Real Madrid's starting line-up against Leipzig on Wednesday in the third round of the UEFA Champions League league phase. The forward missed Sunday's meeting with Sevilla through suspension, and Real Madrid won that match 4-1.
Mourinho confirms starting role
Mourinho told reporters: "I don't like doing things this way, but these are circumstances that have been imposed. On Wednesday, he will be in the starting line-up. The Champions League is an opportunity to keep his enthusiasm high, so that it isn't just a matter of training, but that he also gains match sharpness."
Fitness update on Vinicius
Vinicius will sit out three further La Liga matches. He continued: "He is in full fitness, and since he didn't play today (against Sevilla), he has worked hard on his physical condition. I wish him all the best because he deserves it. We need him."
Mourinho's warning on Leipzig
Real Madrid host Leipzig on Wednesday. The Portuguese signed off with a warning: "Leipzig are not the team that performed badly yesterday in Munich (a 6-1 defeat to Bayern). They are a completely different opponent."