Carlo Ancelotti wants to make changes after Real Madrid was defeated by Valencia in their last match for the quarterfinals of the Champions League against Arsenal
Carlo Ancelotti will rid Vinicius Junior from the fine of the fine before the collision of Real Madrid with Arsenal. Los Blancos travels on Tuesday to the Emirates for the first stage of their quarterfinals of Champions League.
Both teams enter the game on the back of disappointing results. The Gunners threw away a lead that would be held on Saturday lunch a frustrating draw by Everton, while Madrid was defeated by Valencia a few hours later.
Mouctar Diakhaby placed the visitors at the front before Vinicius made it right just after the break, with Hugo Duro scored a final gasp winner. Vinicius was booed when he was replaced, after he missed a penalty when the game was once aimless.
It was the second consecutive Miss of the Brazilian of the Penalty Space, after he had also failed in the Champions League last 16 against Atletico Madrid. Punishments have been a huge problem for Madrid this season.
In addition to Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham missed both spotkicks. Four of those five mistakes led to defeats, against Atletico, Valencia, Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao.
In fact, Bellingham and defender Antonio Rudiger in Madrid are the only two players who have scored in both. While Mbappe was struggling with the location earlier this season, Ancelotti has hinted that he will now take over from Vinicius.
“We will see,” said the Italian when he was asked directly if Mbappe would become the penalty contractor. “We have missed several: Bellingham, Mbappé and Vini. I tried to give him confidence, but he missed. I don't think they will influence him. He always gives everything, whether he plays well or not.”
Madrid is now four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, although they have reached the final of the Copa del Rey. They also have the chance to keep the Champions League title they won last season.
But first they will have to overcome Arsenal, with a European crown their only remaining chance of silverware this term. And Ancelotti expects a difficult test of the men of Mikel Arteta after the opposite Saturday.
“It is harder to win the competition now, but we have to do things well until the end. We have much fewer options. We will certainly fight until the end,” he told Valencia after the defeat.
“It is not a physical problem or a lack of football. We have caused many opportunities. We missed a little effectiveness. It is not difficult for our opponents to score against us at the moment. Complaining is useless. It is not an attitude problem, not at all.
“This is not a deserved defeat. Could things have been done better? Yes, but it is not a lack of attitude. We deserved to win, but it was not because of the small details. It will be different because Arsenal will attack more.”
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