Vinicius Junior had lots to cheer about in Real Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Valencia in La Liga on Thursday, having not solely scored the sealer aim, but additionally managing to flee a critical harm after a nasty foul by Gabriel Paulista within the second half, which sparked a full-blown brawl and resulted within the Valencia defender receiving marching orders.
Paulista struck a tough kick at Vinicius’ legs after the Brazil ahead obtained previous him with the ball within the 72nd minute, sending the Brazil ahead laborious to the bottom. Vinicius rapidly obtained up and went to confront Paulista, shoving him from behind as different gamers arrived to affix the scuffle.
“It was a hit without the ball, for no reason,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois stated.
Madrid defender Eder Militao, who had been taken off earlier within the match, confronted Paulista as he made his method to the tunnel after being despatched off.
“What Paulista did wasn’t correct, it was a clear red card. The match was already tough, and it became impossible with a player down,” Valencia coach Voro Gonzalez stated.
Vinicius scored his aim after a long term on a breakaway within the 54th, two minutes after Marco Asensio had given the hosts the lead with a shot from outdoors the realm.
Vinicius endured a tumultuous interval final week after his effigy was hanged off a bridge in a hate assault earlier than Madrid’s recreation in opposition to metropolis rival Atletico Madrid within the Copa del Rey.
“We have to protect Vinicius a bit. He is always dribbling and the defenders don’t like that. He is always getting hit. They think he is provoking them, but it’s his way of playing. We need this Vini to destabilize the opposing defense,” stated Courtois.
Thursday’s win put Madrid again inside 5 factors of league chief Barcelona on the midway level of the season. The Catalan membership received 2-1 at Real Betis on Wednesday.
Both video games have been postponed from January due to the groups’ participation within the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, the place Madrid beat Valencia within the semifinals after a penalty shootout earlier than dropping to Barcelona within the last.
Madrid, which had not received in two matches in all competitions, misplaced two of its key gamers due to accidents – Militao had to get replaced within the first half and Karim Benzema early within the second.
Madrid has one final league recreation – at Mallorca on Sunday – earlier than touring to Morocco to play in FIFA’s Club World Cup subsequent week, when it’ll search a record-extending eighth title.
It was Valencia’s first recreation with out coach Gennaro Gattuso, whose contract was terminated by mutual settlement amid the group’s poor run. Gonzalez, a membership director who typically acts as an interim supervisor, is anticipated to remain in cost till the top of the season.
Valencia has received solely one in all its final 11 league video games and is one level from the relegation zone. Its solely two wins this yr got here within the Copa del Rey, although it didn’t get previous the quarterfinals.
Defender Antonio Rüdiger thought he had put Madrid forward with a header off a nook kick three minutes into first-half stoppage time, however the aim was disallowed after video assessment noticed a foul by Benzema away from the ball.
Madrid, the defending league champion, is six factors in entrance of third-place Real Sociedad.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
