Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior was shown a red card in Los Blancos’ win away to Valencia, with the Brazilian star clashing with opponent Stole Dimitrievski at the Mestalla
Antonio Rudiger forced Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Junior down the tunnel to stop the Brazilian compounding his troubles during a win at Valencia.
Vinicius was shown a straight red card after clashing with Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. The Madrid man appeared to react to a shove from the keeper, prompting referee Cesar Soto Grado to take a red card out of his pocket.
As Vinicius began to approach Soto, Rudiger stepped in, with fellow Madrid star Dani Ceballos also attempting to help. The German international led his colleague away, with Vinicius shouting in the direction of the official.
Madrid trailed 1-0 at the time of the red card but battled back to claim a dramatic win. Jude Bellingham was the match-winner, rebounding from an earlier penalty miss to score a stoppage-time winner.
“We felt the sending-off should have been two yellows, one for each player, but they showed Vini Jr. a red,” Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said after the win. “We’re going to appeal it, I’m not sure if they’ll overturn it.
“We don’t feel it was a red card. Dimitrievski laid hands on him and then there was Vini Jr.’s shove. Two yellows would have sufficed and that would have been it.
“I don’t want to say he fell into the trap. Vini Jr. struggled a bit. He was playing outside in the first half and he just tried to play his game. Sometimes it all comes off for him, others not so much. I hope he can play in the next game because he’s very much a player who makes the difference for us.”
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Madrid’s win lifted them back to the top of the table, though they have played a game more than rivals Atletico. Hugo Duro put Valencia in front at the Mestailla, but Luka Modric equalised five minutes from time and Bellingham delivered the final blow.
“This is the personality we have to show, especially when these difficult atmospheres,” Bellingham said. “This is the Madrid we want to see and the one the fans deserve.”
“When you’re wearing this shirt, you can’t ever give up. When I missed the penalty, my teammates could have blamed me for it but they got behind me, they consoled me. We showed Real Madrid’s character with 10 men. We stood up and picked up three huge points in the fight for LaLiga.”
Vinicius Junior, for his part, apologised for the red card on social media. “Sorry and thanks to the team,” the former Flamengo star wrote.
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