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The Real Madrid manager has come to the defence of Vinicius Junior following the forward’s controversial red card in Los Blancos’ 2-1 win over Valencia.
Ancelotti expressed hope that the Brazilian would avoid a lengthy suspension and emphasised the improvements Vinicius has made in handling pressure and criticism.
"It wasn’t red; it was yellow"
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Ancelotti, however, is convinced that the punishment was harsh. Speaking to reporters, the Italian tactician said:
"We continue to be convinced that it wasn’t red; it was yellow. We hope that he isn’t suspended for many games."
The club now awaits a committee decision on the matter, with Ancelotti showing faith in his player’s ability to move forward from the setback.
"He has improved so much he is the best in the world"
The 24-year-old winger has been at the centre of controversies this season, from on-pitch clashes to being targeted with insults from fans. Despite the challenges, Ancelotti praised Vinicius for his growth and resilience.
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"I’m not in his shoes, but it can’t be easy to put up with everything that happens, the insults… But he tries to improve; I think he has improved. He is obviously sad about the red; he apologised, but we have to look forward," Ancelotti said.
He added, "What happens in the stadiums… I think he has improved his attitude a lot. You can continue to improve, but no one is perfect. He has improved so much that he is the best player in the world."
While Real Madrid awaits the final verdict on his suspension, Vinicius Junior will be eligible to feature in their Copa del Rey round of 32 clash against Deportivo Minera on Monday.
Ancelotti will hope his star man can put the red card controversy behind him and continue delivering on the pitch.
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