Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has announced that David Alaba is set to rejoin the squad following a 380-day injury lay-off.
David Alaba sustained a cruciate ligament tear on December 18, 2023. Since then, he has been diligently working on his fitness during training and is expected to be available for selection by January 20.
Ancelotti expressed optimism regarding Alaba’s return, stating, “David Alaba is close to playing games, he will be ready by January 20.” With Alaba’s anticipated comeback, the team will likely adopt a rotation system, particularly in their defensive line, to ensure players remain fresh and injury-free throughout the season.
When posed with the question about potential new signings in the upcoming January transfer window, Ancelotti was somewhat reserved, saying, “January signings? It’s not easy to talk about this topic now. We will see.”
As Real Madrid gear up to start 2025, they are set to face Valencia in their opening match on Friday night, a contest sure to set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Atalanta are preparing to rely heavily on the talents of Ademola Lookman as they take on Inter Milan in the semi-final of the Supercoppa, scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday night.
Lookman has been a standout performer for Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad this season, having scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 20 appearances across all competitions, showcasing his crucial role in the team.
This significant match will mark Atalanta’s first game of the new year, and they will be looking to improve upon their previous performance against Inter Milan, where they suffered a heavy defeat of 4-0 in their earlier encounter last September. In the other semi-final, traditional rivals Juventus and AC Milan are set to clash.