Frustrated after Valencia, Carlo Ancelotti said: “Vinicius’ penalty? I wanted…”

After Real Madrid’s disappointing defeat at home to Valencia (1-2) on Saturday, a visibly frustrated Carlo Ancelotti sat down for a press conference to reflect on his team’s performance. Despite the loss, which seems to have dashed their hopes for the La Liga title this season, it was Vinicius Junior’s missed penalty in the 11th minute that became a focal point of the conversation. The penalty miss, along with several other key moments, highlighted the fragile dynamics that have been plaguing the team.

Real Madrid’s Missed Opportunity

Going into the match, Real Madrid was only three points behind FC Barcelona, making this game crucial for their hopes of keeping the La Liga title race alive. However, the game against Valencia turned out to be a missed opportunity. Despite creating multiple chances, including a penalty awarded to Vinicius after Kylian Mbappé was fouled in the penalty box, Real Madrid failed to capitalize. The penalty, taken by Vinicius, was saved by Valencia’s goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who had an outstanding performance throughout the match.

Vinicius’ missed penalty would be a turning point in the match. The 24-year-old winger had been entrusted by Ancelotti to take the spot kick, despite the fact that Mbappé, in excellent form, could have been a more obvious choice. Ancelotti later explained in the press conference that it was his decision to give Vinicius the responsibility. However, the miss only compounded the frustrations for both the player and the team, with the fans at the Santiago Bernabéu expressing their discontent with boos.

Ancelotti’s Frustration and Reflection

When questioned about the penalty miss, Ancelotti was candid about his disappointment but also acknowledged the broader context of the match. “It’s now more complicated for us to fight for the La Liga title, but we want to remain competitive until the end, because we still have options. We must continue fighting until the last match,” he said.

Ancelotti attributed the defeat to a series of small details that ultimately decided the game. “The penalty, the set-piece goal, the disallowed goal… These small details change the course of the match,” he remarked. While he praised Valencia for their solid defensive work and clinical finishing, he also made it clear that Real Madrid deserved to win, based on the number of chances they created. However, he admitted there were things to improve, particularly in terms of defensive organization and effectiveness in front of goal.

The Penalty Problem: A Season of Missed Opportunities

Ancelotti’s reflections on the penalty miss also touched on a recurring issue for Real Madrid this season: their struggles from the penalty spot. “It’s been a complicated season for penalty takers,” he said. “Bellingham missed against Valencia, Mbappé missed at Bilbao and against Liverpool, and Vinicius also missed against Atlético. I wanted to give him the confidence to take it, but he missed.” This statement underlined the collective struggles Real Madrid has faced with their penalty takers, a problem that continues to haunt them.

Defensive Concerns and Missed Chances

During the match, Real Madrid created plenty of opportunities, but their inability to convert them, along with defensive lapses, cost them dearly. Ancelotti commented, “We created a lot of chances and were very close to scoring goals, but we lacked a bit of efficiency and ball recovery. Defensively, we could have been better—not necessarily in terms of the chances Valencia created, but in recovering the ball, because we struggled in that area.”

The match also saw the debut of Fran González, who replaced the injured Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin in goal. The young 19-year-old goalkeeper faced a tough challenge in his first professional appearance, as Real Madrid conceded two goals despite controlling much of the game. “Courtois trained and had a good feeling, he will train again tomorrow. We didn’t want to take any risks with Lunin either, so Fran played,” Ancelotti explained. Despite the loss, Fran’s performance was a bright spot for Madrid on a difficult evening.

The Bigger Picture: La Liga and Champions League

With La Liga seemingly slipping away from Real Madrid, attention now shifts to the Champions League, where they will face Arsenal in the upcoming clash. Ancelotti acknowledged that the match against Arsenal would require a different approach. “The game against Arsenal will be different. They will attack more, and we’ll need to be more solid defensively. We also need to be more efficient in front of goal,” he said. The Madrid coach’s comments reflected the urgency of the situation, as the team looks to regroup and prepare for their next big challenge.

Criticism of Vinicius and Team Dynamics

While Vinicius Junior’s penalty miss dominated much of the post-match discussion, Ancelotti was quick to defend the Brazilian forward. “Vinicius is focused on what he has to do. He may have good and bad games, but he always gives his best,” Ancelotti remarked. His supportive words came amid mounting criticism of Vinicius, who had already faced pressure from the fans and the media after his recent performances. Ancelotti’s unwavering support for his player highlights the delicate balance between offering public support and managing expectations at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

Vinicius Junior: The Player’s Perspective

In the aftermath of the match, Vinicius’ missed penalty sparked further questions about his concentration and mental state. The Brazilian has been under intense scrutiny this season, and his confidence appears to be fluctuating. The penalty miss, however, isn’t entirely representative of his contributions on the field, as Vinicius has been involved in several key moments for Real Madrid. Nonetheless, the pressure on him continues to grow, and it remains to be seen how he will respond in the coming weeks.

Ancelotti’s Self-Criticism and Team Accountability

Ancelotti also offered some self-criticism during the press conference, saying, “You have the right to make criticisms, just as I have the right to critique the match I saw. We’ve had deserved defeats this season, but not today. Today, the attitude was not lacking.” His words seemed to reflect a sense of accountability, not just towards his players but also towards the decisions he makes as a coach. Despite the loss, Ancelotti remains confident that his team can bounce back, but he is well aware that improvements are necessary, especially with a hectic fixture schedule ahead.

Looking Ahead: The Demands of the Calendar

The upcoming fixtures are already weighing heavily on the squad, with the Champions League looming large. Ancelotti emphasized the demanding nature of the calendar: “It’s a very demanding schedule, and we have to suffer through it. There are no easy matches. We fight in every one, and we’ll try to play at our best level. Sometimes we manage to do so, and other times, we don’t.”

As Real Madrid turns their focus to their next challenges, Ancelotti’s words reflect a deeper understanding of the struggles they face this season. With the La Liga title now out of reach, the team must remain resilient and concentrate on securing success in Europe.

The Future of Penalty Takers

One lingering question after the Valencia match is whether Kylian Mbappé will become the team’s primary penalty taker moving forward. “We will see,” Ancelotti answered when asked if Mbappé, who is in excellent form, might take over the duties. With a string of penalty misses this season, it’s clear that the French forward could be given more responsibility in the upcoming fixtures.

Conclusion: A Season of Frustrations

Saturday’s defeat to Valencia was a culmination of Real Madrid’s ongoing struggles in crucial moments, from missed penalties to defensive lapses. Yet, despite these setbacks, Ancelotti remains committed to his team’s cause. With La Liga effectively out of reach, all eyes are now on the Champions League, where Real Madrid will look to salvage their season.