MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid will be without Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham for Sunday’s La Liga match in Valencia.
Vinicius will be absent due to an accumulation of yellow cards. He received his fifth yellow in last Sunday’s 2-1 home win against Rayo Vallecano, which left Madrid within one point of leaders Barcelona.
A stunning goal from Vinicius gave Madrid the win against Rayo, but he was once again booed by some Madrid fans at the Bernabéu. Later, Spanish media was also criticized for reporting that he was seen in Paris before the playoffs.
The Brazilian forward was expected to face a tough crowd in Valencia, but three years ago he was subjected to racist taunts that sparked anti-racist movements across Spain. At the time, Valencia helped identify the fans who had mocked Vinicius, but the club was not satisfied with the generalization that all fans were racist. Valencia fans have jeered Vinicius every time he returns to the Mestalla Stadium.
Bellingham has recently come under fire from Madrid fans, but is not expected to play in Sunday’s game against Rayo due to a left hamstring injury. The team has not released a timeline for his recovery, but he is expected to be out for several weeks.
Madrid are on a six-game winning streak, but their last setback was a 2-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo in December.
Valencia, ranked 16th, suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey, but conceded a goal in the 6th minute of injury time and were unable to advance.
major matches
Leaders Barcelona host 14th place Mallorca on Saturday, looking for their 17th win in 18 games in all competitions.
Barcelona, whose only setback in that run was a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad in January, advanced to the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Albacete in midweek.
On Sunday, third-placed Atletico Madrid host fifth-placed Real Betis, the same opposition they will face as visitors in Thursday’s Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
Atlético strengthened its team during the winter transfer window by acquiring Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman from Major League Soccer’s Atalanta and Mexican midfielder Obed Vargas from the Seattle Sounders.
On Monday, fourth-placed Villarreal host sixth-placed Espanyol.
Featured players
Atlético will be showcasing new signings Lookman and Vargas, but Barcelona will continue to rely on Lamine Yamal, who has scored four goals in the last four games against Barcelona and five in the last six games with the club.
Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé is likely to play at the Mestalla, hoping to build on his impressive scoring streak that has seen him score eight goals in his last five games.
Activity suspended
With Vinicius and Bellingham sidelined, Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa could expect several players to return from long-term injury layoffs, including defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy.
Barcelona will be without Gabi and Pedri due to injury, while Rafinha remains in doubt having already missed Tuesday’s Copa del Rey match.
off the field
Barcelona president Joan Laporta announced this week that the club will hold elections in March and that he will be running again. He said he and other board members would resign on Monday to run for re-election. Laporta will face opposition.
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