Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, has confirmed that the club will contest Vinicius Junior’s red card received during the match against Valencia. In a thrilling encounter, Real Madrid came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory despite being a man down, with crucial late goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham. This victory allowed Real Madrid to ascend to the top of the LaLiga standings with 43 points, outpacing second-placed Atlético Madrid, who have a game in hand.
The match, initially postponed due to severe flooding in the region, was characterized by a tense atmosphere after conflicts erupted between home fans and police prior to kickoff. On the field, the action was intense from the start, with both Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Valencia’s Hugo Duro coming close to scoring early on. Valencia took the lead in the 27th minute when Duro scored after Thibaut Courtois’ initial save on Javi Guerra’s shot.
Real Madrid sought to equalize but faced challenges, including a missed penalty by Bellingham early in the second half that hit the post. Five minutes later, a potential equalizer from Kylian Mbappé was ruled out by VAR for offside. Tensions rose when Vinícius Júnior was sent off in the 79th minute for an incident involving Valencia’s goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Following the card, Júnior expressed his remorse on social media for his actions.
Despite being down to 10 men, Real Madrid rallied with Modric netting an equalizer in the 85th minute, followed by Bellingham’s winning goal in stoppage time, clinching the victory for the team. Ancelotti praised Bellingham’s determination, stating that the missed penalty ignited his performance.
Valencia’s defeat leaves them in a precarious position near the bottom of the table, and striker Duro expressed disappointment over the loss, emphasizing the need to shift focus back to the game amid external pressures.
This match highlights Real Madrid’s resilience and ability to thrive under pressure, showcasing their fighting spirit as they aim for further success this season. With the appeal regarding Vinicius Junior’s red card, the team also seeks to maintain its momentum moving forward.
In summary, Real Madrid’s comeback victory against Valencia demonstrates their strength and determination, while the challenges they faced add to the narrative of a compelling season in LaLiga.