Vinicius Junior was filmed in the tunnel predicting that Valencia would “break out” in the second half of their clash with Real Madrid – a game in which the Brazilian would later be sent off.
Madrid turned things around against the former La Liga champions thanks to goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham, the latter of whom had earlier missed a penalty.
The result sealed a vital three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid, who now sit top of the table ahead of Atletico Madrid in the neighbourhood. Barcelona sit third in the table after a dismal run that has seen them lose three of their last five matches.
Vinicius apologized for his dismissal on social media, although he received the support of manager Ancelotti – the Italian said his slap on goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievsky “wasn’t red, it was yellow”.
Now it has emerged that before Madrid overturned the game, Vinicius – the second in 2024 Golden Ball and winner of The FIFA Best Men’s Player award – predicted in the tunnel that Valencia would explode if the 15 Champions League winners could find a goal.
“We must respond with purpose” Kylian Mbappe said before Vinicius responded: “Of course, when they whistle for a foul. We score a goal and they beat themselves up. A little more, a little more and that’s it.”
The disappointment for Madrid was that they should have got back into the game earlier than they did – Bellingham’s penalty was the third time Los Blancos had missed from 12 yards this season.
“It bothers me that we missed three penalties,” Ancelotti admitted to reporters before adding: “I think I have to take responsibility for choosing who takes them.”
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2025-01-05 17:05:00
