[ad_1]
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his winger Vinicius Jr. at a press conference on Saturday, and insisted that the football world needs to change its “attitude” towards the controversial Brazilian.
Vinicius was attacked by Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic this week after running the risk of being red-carded against RB Leipzig in the Champions League through a push on fellow goalscorer Willi Orban.
Asked about the 23-year-old ahead of a La Liga clash with Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu on Sunday, Ancelotti revealed that he had “looked back a bit in history and statistics” and came to the conclusion that he has “never seen a footballer as persecuted as Vinicius”.
“They tell him [what to do] and do everything to him, what does he have to do?,” the Italian asked rhetorically. “They kick him, they insult him, they whistle at him… he scores goals and gives assists.”
“Everyone has to change the attitude they have towards Vinicius. It has never happened that a player of such talent is suffering so much. In Vallecas [Rayo Vallecano’s home ground] he was hit in the head and there wasn’t a single caution. And now everyone is asking for him to be sent off because of what happened in Leipzig,” Ancelotti added.
On Vinicius’ compatriot Rodrygo, who is struggling through a downturn in form, the manager reminded us that the former Santos player’s history in Madrid “is a success story”.
“He has allowed us to win the Champions League, he has always contributed. This year he hasn’t had continuity to score, but he has had it in his performances. When we need a goal, Rodrygo will be there,” Ancelotti stated.
Regarding the last 16 second leg match against Leipzig, which many felt Madrid were lucky to come out of with a 2-1 aggregate win helped by Vinicius’ goal in the 1-1 draw, Ancelotti pointed out that sometimes a small advantage “will make you lower the tension”.
“The team played unconcerned, that’s the way it is. We didn’t take any risks in the pressing, [but] I don’t think it was psychological fatigue.
“We went out a little bit more thinking that we had the advantage [a 1-0 lead from the first leg]. And I don’t know how to prepare for games like that, it’s happened to me in the past, against Schalke, against Chelsea… You can’t say, “Don’t think about the advantage.” Because then you only think about the advantage!”
Ancelotti will be without his top scorer Jude Bellingham this weekend after a two-match ban for a red card at Valencia was upheld.
In his absence, Ancelotti confessed that the team “loses presence” in the opposition box which has made the difference in the league thus far and allowed Madrid to boast what could be an eight-point lead again at the top of the table if its beats Celta.
“Defensively it doesn’t change much…,” Ancelotti trailed off.
[ad_2]
