Carlo Ancelotti Defends Vinicius Jr Amid Controversy

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has come to the defense of Vinicius Jr. following the forward's controversial red card in the match against Valencia, an incident that has garnered global attention. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Ancelotti acknowledged the challenges Vinicius faces and praised his progress.

“It’s hard to endure everything that happens,” Ancelotti remarked. “He has greatly improved his attitude and is working on it, though no one is perfect. He’s done so much and is now the best player in the world,” he added ahead of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey match against CD Minera, a fourth-tier Spanish club.

The Red Card Debate

Vinicius Jr. was sent off last Friday at Mestalla for shoving the opposing goalkeeper. Ancelotti argued that the punishment was excessive: “It wasn’t a red card, it was a yellow, so we hope he won’t face a lengthy suspension.”

The disciplinary decision is still pending, but the Brazilian forward could face up to four matches of suspension. If upheld, he would miss not only the Copa del Rey fixture but also the Spanish Supercup in Saudi Arabia next week.

“It’s difficult to put yourself in his shoes and deal with the insults he faces,” Ancelotti emphasized. “It’s not easy, but he’s trying to improve. He’s upset about the red card and has apologized, but we need to move forward.”

Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey Aspirations

Despite playing with ten men after Vinicius Jr.'s expulsion, Real Madrid managed a 2-1 comeback victory against Valencia, maintaining their position at the top of La Liga. The focus now shifts to the Copa del Rey, a competition in which Ancelotti aims to excel once again.

“In recent years, this tournament has gone well for us. Reaching the final is always special, and that’s our objective,” Ancelotti said.

For the upcoming match in Cartagena, Real Madrid will be without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Antonio Rüdiger. Ukrainian keeper Andriy Lunin is set to start in place of Courtois. “Everyone else will travel and is available to play. Some players will get minutes to rotate the squad after our recent games,” Ancelotti confirmed.

• Support for Vinicius Jr.: Ancelotti praised the forward’s improvement and defended him against excessive criticism.
• Red card incident: Vinicius Jr. faces a potential suspension of up to four matches, jeopardizing his participation in key fixtures.
• Copa del Rey focus: Real Madrid aims to start strong in their campaign, with rotations expected in the squad.
• Squad news: Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rüdiger are ruled out, with Andriy Lunin stepping in as goalkeeper.
• Ancelotti’s outlook: The coach remains optimistic and focused on advancing to the final stages of the Copa del Rey.