Ancelotti Backs Vinícius: "He Has Learned From the Red Card"
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media ahead of their LaLiga EA Sports clash against UD Las Palmas, where they will be without Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian forward is serving the first of a two-match suspension following his red card in the game against Valencia earlier this month. Ancelotti acknowledged Vinícius’ absence but highlighted the valuable lessons learned by the player from the incident.
Vinícius' Growth After the Incident
During the press conference, Ancelotti praised Vinícius for his improved composure in recent matches:
"We haven’t talked much about this, but I can tell he has been calmer. I believe he has learned from what happened recently, from the red card. We miss him because Vini is always a great player for us."
The Brazilian was sent off during the January 3, 2025, match against Valencia, leading to a two-game ban. His absence creates a gap in Real Madrid’s attacking dynamics, but Ancelotti remains optimistic about his team’s adaptability.
Alternative Offensive Options for Real Madrid
Despite missing Vinícius, Ancelotti confirmed that Real Madrid will stick to their 4-3-3 formation and hinted at the attacking lineup:
"Endrick has options like everyone else, but we’ll go with what we’re accustomed to. Brahim is in great form, and Mbappé and Rodrygo are performing very well."
The coach ruled out a starting role for Endrick, who recently impressed with two crucial goals in their Copa del Rey win over Celta Vigo. Instead, the likely front three of Brahim Díaz, Kylian Mbappé, and Rodrygo Goes will lead the charge as Real Madrid continues to fight for the top spots in LaLiga.