Real Madrid coach Ancelotti reacts to Vinicius Jr. Valencia’s red card

On By Littum

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his winger Vinicius Jr. after the Brazilian was sent off during an eventual 2-1 win over Valencia in La Liga on Friday.

The visitors trailed 1-0 at the break thanks to Hugo Duro scoring inside half an hour.

Yet Jude Bellingham missed a penalty in the second half of the previously postponed game, but made up for it with a thrilling stoppage-time winner as Luka Modric leveled after 85 minutes.

Arguably the most talked about incident from the action, however, will be Vinicius’ red card picked up shortly before that for pushing Stole Dimitrievski onto the Mestalla turf.

“What we think is that it wasn’t a red, it was two yellows,” Ancelotti said after the match when asked about the controversy.

“He has been sent off, but the team has reacted to this difficulty as it reacted to the missed penalty. We will appeal, I don’t know if they will accept it. I have not said anything, I” I have congratulated the players, I told them the same as here.

“It was a touch before the goalkeeper and then a push. I think with two yellows it was enough, the matter was over. I don’t think he has fallen into the trap. He has tried to do things well, as always , sometimes it works and sometimes a little less, but that’s the end of it, hopefully he can play the next game, he continues to be crucial for us.

Regarding the game itself, the Italian said it was “difficult to explain how bad we did in the first half and how good we were in the second, and with one less player”.

“They are three deserved points but we can’t show these two sides. The first half was hugely bad, the second half was hugely good with ten.

Ancelotti said it “pauses me” how Madrid have missed three penalties this term, but ultimately believes “I have to take responsibility for choosing who will shoot”.

Despite Bellingham hitting the post from 12 yards out, Ancelotti praised the Englishman for a “good game”.

“He didn’t lose faith after missing the penalty, it gave him extra motivation. His last 30 minutes can only be managed by him. He has given an extraordinary effort. It is a well-deserved award for the game he played.”

Through the win, Madrid are now two points ahead of second-placed crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, as well as five ahead of FC Barcelona.