Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his dissatisfaction with the dismissal of Vinicius Junior during his side’s victory over Valencia and confirmed after the match that the club intends to appeal, insisting that the winger was provoked by Stole Dimitrievski.
Vinicius was sent off in the 79th minute for shoving the Valencia goalkeeper with Madrid trailing 1-0, but Luka Modric’s 85th-minute equalizer and Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute winner secured a dramatic late comeback, sending Los Blancos to the top of La Liga.
Giving his thoughts on the situation after the game, Ancelotti insisted that the decision against Vinicius was too harsh, suggesting that a yellow card to both players would have sufficed.
“We thought it wasn’t a red card, it was two yellow cards,” Ancelotti said. “We are going to appeal, I don’t think there will be a sanction for him. We think it wasn’t a red card.
“There was a touch from Dimitrievski and then a push from Vini. I think that with two yellow cards it was settled. Vini suffered and I don’t want to say that he fell into the trap. There are days when things go well for him and other times a little less so. Hopefully he can play in the next game.”
On his part, Vinicius has since apologised to his teammates in a concise message via social media which read; “Sorry and thanks team!”
According to MARCA, the Spanish Football Federation has acknowledged that Vinicius was provoked and intends to impose a two-game ban instead of the usual four-match suspension typically associated with acts of violent conduct.
Olaoluwa is a dedicated sports writer and passionate football enthusiast with two years of experience. Known for his keen analysis and commitment to the game, his work reflects a deep love for football, blending strategic insight with the emotional moments that make it a global passion. He is focused on honing his skills and consistently aims to inspire and engage readers through every article he writes.
