Carlo Ancelotti has stood up for Vinícius Júnior. During the match against Real Sociedad, the Brazilian drew attention after a confrontation with the crowd. Ancelotti and teammate Dani Carvajal addressed the incident at a press conference on Monday.
After just under an hour of play, Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring for Real Madrid in their match against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian.
The Brazilian winger coolly converted a penalty, but what caught more attention than the goal itself was his gesture toward the crowd afterward. Vinícius placed his finger to his lips, signaling for the home fans to be quiet a reaction that stirred controversy given the already tense atmosphere in the stadium. His actions were in response to continuous jeers and provocations from the crowd, a recurring issue Vinícius has faced throughout his career, particularly in La Liga.
The reaction sparked debates after the match, with Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic commenting on the situation, saying, "He's only getting in his own way with this. He needs to calm down." Mijatovic’s comments reflect concerns that Vinícius' responses to crowd provocations could negatively affect his focus on the game and potentially harm his image. The young winger has faced similar situations before, where his emotional reactions to on-field provocations and off-field insults have been put under the spotlight.
During the post-match press conference, teammate Dani Carvajal was quick to defend Vinícius. "We also see and hear the insults. If you poke someone long enough, eventually they will bleed. His reaction is normal," the right-back stated. Carvajal's defense underscores the frustrations within the team, particularly as Vinícius has often been targeted with both racial and verbal abuse from opposition fans. Carvajal’s words highlighted that no player can be expected to maintain composure indefinitely when subjected to repeated hostility.
Real Madrid's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, also came to Vinícius' defense, expressing his frustration with the toxic environment the player often finds himself in. "He's reacting to a disgusting action," Ancelotti emphasized. "No one can tolerate that, not even me. What he does afterward is normal, considering everything that's happening." The Italian coach pointed out that while provocations are part of football, what Vinícius experiences goes beyond normal fan behavior. Ancelotti’s comments echoed his earlier concerns about player welfare, particularly the mental strain caused by repeated abuse from the stands.
Ancelotti also called for change, stressing that what Vinícius is subjected to is "not normal" and should not be tolerated in football. The coach’s words reflect a growing consensus within the football community that stricter measures need to be implemented to protect players from persistent abuse. Carvajal echoed these sentiments, calling for stricter regulations to address such behavior from fans. While football culture often includes banter and jeering, the line between that and harmful abuse is increasingly being scrutinized.
Injuries and Squad Issues
As Real Madrid prepares for their Champions League opener against VfB Stuttgart, they face a number of injury concerns that could impact their squad depth. Key players such as Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, David Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga have been ruled out of the match due to various injuries. This has prompted Carlo Ancelotti to voice his concerns about the demanding football calendar, which, in his view, is contributing to the rise in player injuries.
"The match schedule demands too much," Ancelotti lamented during the pre-match press conference. "Now we have a new edition, and we don’t know how this will play out. But there are already two extra matches. If the organizers don’t quickly realize that players are getting injured because they are playing too much, we’ll have a problem." Ancelotti’s comments highlight a broader issue in modern football how the congested fixture list, particularly in top leagues and international tournaments, is taking a toll on players’ health and performance.
This season, Real Madrid, like many elite clubs, will face a particularly packed schedule, balancing domestic league matches with Champions League commitments, cup competitions, and international duties for their players. Ancelotti has been vocal about the need for better management of player workloads, especially given the increased risk of injury. The absence of several key players for their Champions League opener is a direct consequence of this grueling schedule, according to Ancelotti.
Bellingham and Tchouaméni Return
Despite the injury setbacks, Ancelotti received positive news ahead of the Stuttgart match: two key midfielders, Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni, have been cleared to return to the squad. Bellingham has been a standout player for Real Madrid since his arrival, contributing both goals and creativity from midfield. His return is a significant boost for the team, particularly given the injuries to other midfield options. Alongside him, Tchouaméni’s return will also add strength and depth to the midfield, as his defensive abilities and physical presence have been important for Real Madrid’s stability this season.
Bellingham’s performances have been instrumental in Real Madrid's strong start to the season, and his presence in the squad for the Champions League clash will bring both leadership and energy to the midfield. Ancelotti will likely rely heavily on him, especially with other key players missing. Tchouaméni, on the other hand, provides a solid defensive shield in midfield, and his return gives Ancelotti more tactical options as he prepares for a crucial period in the season.
While the injuries have created challenges for Ancelotti’s squad selection, the return of these two key players gives him some much-needed relief. As Real Madrid embarks on their Champions League campaign, the team will be looking to make a strong start despite the injury woes, and having Bellingham and Tchouaméni available will certainly aid in that mission.
In summary, Real Madrid is preparing for their Champions League opener against VfB Stuttgart amidst a mix of challenges and optimism. Vinícius Júnior continues to navigate the pressures of being a top player who is frequently targeted by opposing fans, while the team deals with injury concerns. However, the return of Jude Bellingham and Aurélien Tchouaméni provides a timely boost as the club looks to start their European campaign on a positive note.
