After the hard-fought win against FC Valencia at Mestalla, Carlo Ancelotti spoke at a press conference to share his thoughts on Vinicius Junior’s red card.
Real Madrid has now taken the lead in La Liga. In this first match of the year, Ancelotti and his squad seized the opportunity to secure a late win in the postponed 12th-round fixture against Valencia. The starting lineup was somewhat surprising, featuring Ferland Mendy’s return to the left side of defense and the absence of Camavinga. Ancelotti opted for an attacking trio of Vinicius, Mbappé, and Rodrygo at the start. After a challenging first half, where the team was trailing, the match took an unexpected turn in the second half.
Vinicius Junior’s Avoidable Red Card
Ancelotti was furious following Vinicius’ red card in Valencia: “We go…”
Vinicius Junior, likely under immense pressure from the racist chants directed at him (as he experienced last year), lost his composure in the 79th minute after struggling to make an impact on the match. During a Madrid attack, Valencia’s goalkeeper provoked him, and the 2024 FIFA Best Player and Globe Soccer Award winner responded with a push, deemed a violent action.
After reviewing the incident through VAR, referee César Soto Grado issued a red card, a decision that many thought was justified. In the post-match press conference, which followed Real Madrid’s late turnaround, with a crucial goal from Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti voiced his displeasure.
Ancelotti stated that Real Madrid would appeal the decision, asserting that the red card was undeserved. He initially questioned the referee’s decision, saying: “We believe it should have been two yellow cards, not a red. We will appeal. He was sent off, but the team reacted well, just as they did after missing the penalty. I didn’t say much. I congratulated the players and told them the same thing. It was just a slight touch from the goalkeeper followed by a push. I believe two yellow cards would have sufficed, and the matter would have been resolved.”
Despite the strict penalty Vinicius faces under Spanish Football Federation rules, Ancelotti confirmed the club would challenge the decision. Although Vinicius apologized for his excessive reaction, Ancelotti refused to label the situation as a trap for his player: “I don’t think he fell into a trap. He was just trying to do the right thing, as always. Sometimes it works, sometimes less so. But it’s done now. I hope he can play in the next game. He’s still a crucial player for us.”
