Carlo Ancelotti is looking to make changes after Real Madrid were beaten by Valencia in their final game before the Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal
Carlo Ancelotti is set to strip Vinicius Junior of penalty-taking responsibilities ahead of Real Madrid's clash with Arsenal. Los Blancos travel to the Emirates on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Both teams head into the game on the back of disappointing results. The Gunners threw away a lead to be held to a frustrating draw by Everton on Saturday lunchtime, while Madrid were beaten by Valencia just a few hours later.
Mouctar Diakhaby put the visitors in front before Vinicius equalised just after half-time, with Hugo Duro scoring a last-gasp winner. Vinicius was booed off as he was substituted, having missed a penalty when the game was still goalless.
It was the Brazilian's second successive miss from the penalty spot, having also failed in the Champions League last 16 against Atletico Madrid. Penalties have been a huge problem for Madrid this season.
Alongside Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham have both missed spot-kicks this term. Four of those five misses led to defeats, against Atletico, Valencia, Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao.
In fact, in Madrid's last two penalty shootouts, Bellingham and defender Antonio Rudiger are the only two players to have scored in both. While Mbappe struggled from the spot earlier this season, Ancelotti has hinted he will now take over from Vinicius.
"We'll see," the Italian said when asked directly if Mbappe would become the penalty taker. "We missed several: Bellingham, Mbappé, and Vini. I tried to give him confidence, but he missed. I don't think they'll affect him. He always gives his all, whether he plays well or not."
Madrid are now four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, though they have reached the final of the Copa del Rey. They also have a chance of retaining 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 is expecting a difficult test from Mikel Arteta's men following Saturday's reverse.
"It's harder to win the league now, but we have to do things well until the end. We have far fewer options. We'll fight until the end, for sure," he said after the defeat to Valencia.
"It's not a physical problem or a lack of football. We created a lot of chances. We lacked a bit of effectiveness. It's not hard for our opponents to score against us at this point. Complaining is useless. It's not an attitude problem, not at all.
"This isn't a deserved defeat. Could things have been done better? Yes, but it's not a lack of attitude. We deserved to win, but it wasn't because of the small details. It will be different, because Arsenal will attack more."
Darey102
0
Both Man U and Madrid fan we no see una for post match comments section 😹😻 They don’t play football with dirty running 👄
Risipstyz
0
Thank
Naocdeintz
0
Hey RefereeFC! What's the going rate for buying a UCL? Just curious, not that we can afford it.
Who helped Madrid knock out city in 2022? 2024? and 2025?
Naocdeintz
0
Carlo Ancelotti u are old fool ,pls leave Mardid alone. U don tried of coach go to Brazil,dont spoil mardid for us . U use Alaba and Lucas tommrrow
Brazil have already taken Zinedine Zidane.
Dasabdknrs
1
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.
you are a bastard, you go and beench vini Jr stupid illittrad
woddmnors
1
Don,t just make mistake sir
Yokilnosy
1
ancloti is The best
wilbard10
0
Don't Just make mistake sir
wilbard10
1
"I gave that penalty for you. Why did Vinicius take it?"😅
Dumaeilptz
0
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.
Stupid
vieaeptu
0
can they kindly give penalty duties to number 9 or 8
Sodaekpy
0
so true brother
Rizeiloru
2
valvade for penalties
Focbdikmnp
0
As a Real Madrid fan the way we are playing is very poor and can be easily knocked out by Arsenal
Come back tomorrow and delete this comment
raeaostyz
2
Hey RefereeFC! What's the going rate for buying a UCL? Just curious, not that we can afford it.
/MADRIDISTA
0
Who told Carlo he was gonna be given penalties. What if Arsenal get the penalties instead? Real Madrid are real crooks
[image]
Why you crying?😂
bohbcdikmr
0
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.
Am sure u know nothing about football..you’re a clown
Lovebug2
1
Who told Carlo he was gonna be given penalties. What if Arsenal get the penalties instead? Real Madrid are real crooks
Lovebug2
0
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.
But he must win Ballon'd Or🤣🤣🤣🤣
Potadmptuy
0
pairing of Rudiger and Alaba is not working. those two guys are past their prime. if they play against Arsenal, Madrid will be knocked out. Ancelotti is old fashioned. his team play very ugly football.
kingpromise7
0
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.
I agree with you Endrick should be given that chance upfront he's more foward and can be distracting to arsenal defense
Tidcnorsy
0
Hii
Tidcnorsy
2
Hiii
foyikostuz
0
Carlo Ancelotti u are old fool ,pls leave Mardid alone. U don tried of coach go to Brazil,dont spoil mardid for us . U use Alaba and Lucas tommrrow
ABDULFATAI ADESANYA
1
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.
You are talking shit. Nonsense
Poabdelpst
1
arnol
ABDULFATAI ADESANYA
1
let rudiger take penalties
Are you okay ? Mbappe still remain best penalty taker.
yutacilrst
1
let rudiger take penalties
razeisy
1
As a Real Madrid fan the way we are playing is very poor and can be easily knocked out by Arsenal
Jotadistz
3
Against popular decision, bench vinicius against Asenal. He's a spoiled child and yet to learn the lessons to work hard. If Ancelotti want to tell him that nobody is indispensable and everyone is important, benched him in important match. it may be hard to take but good to face reality.