After Comeback: Return to Starting Eleven Next Step for David Alaba
Real Madrid coach Ancelotti has hinted that David Alaba could soon return to the starting line-up. The Italian is longing for the 32-year-old to stabilise Real's central defence. "We have a lot of quality up front, so we need to focus on the defence," Ancelotti emphasised.
David Alaba's Return to the Starting Line-Up Possible Soon
Alaba is "very close to starting". In the league comeback on Sunday against Las Palmas (4:1), he played for 15 minutes, 13 months after his cruciate ligament tear, and almost twice as long against Salzburg. "It's all about how he feels," Ancelotti explained. "He's making a good impression in training, doesn't seem insecure at all. If he tells me he's ready, he'll be in the starting line-up." Alaba doesn't see himself at 100 percent yet. "I have to continue to take it day by day, do my sessions and train more with the team," said Austria's national team captain. "I need to get back into the rhythm and get more minutes, then it will be fine."
Many Opportunities for David Alaba in the Coming Weeks
Five games are scheduled for Real in the next 16 days, the next one on Saturday (21.00 hrs/live DAZN) in the league in Valladolid. The following Wednesday, they will be in France for the slim chance of advancing directly to the last 16 in the Champions League. "That's not really the focus," Alaba said about the fight for the top 8. "Next week against Brest we have to win and then we'll see." The game against Salzburg was his 118th in the Champions League - but a special one due to the circumstances. "It was a beautiful day with the victory, which we certainly deserved," said Alaba, who came into the game in the 64th minute for midfield star Jude Bellingham and was cheered by both sets of fans. "I feel the support of the fans here very much. For that, I am very, very grateful," emphasised the returnee. "It's worth working hard."
David Alaba with Kind Words for Salzburg
After the match, Alaba went on a short lap of honour alone through the Bernabeu Stadium. Beforehand, he had chatted with his ÖFB team-mate Alexander Schlager and also high-fived Salzburg coach Thomas Letsch. "Especially in the first few minutes, you could see that they have the potential to play good football," Alaba said about Salzburg. "They showed what kind of team they are. I believe they are on a good path." For Salzburg's co-coach Onur Cinel, who also works with the ÖFB team, there was a warm hug, and Alaba had dinner with team manager Ralf Rangnick the night before. "Everyone knows the value David has for Real and especially for the national team," Rangnick said in his role as a TV expert for Canal+. "It's a great joy that he's back."
(APA/Red)
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