Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed why Vinicius Jr. was handed penalty duties during the club’s surprise 2-1 defeat to Valencia in La Liga.
“I Wanted to Give Him Confidence” – Ancelotti Explains Vinicius’ Missed Penalty
The decision raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike, especially with star forward Kylian Mbappe also on the pitch.
Vinicius, who scored Real Madrid’s only goal of the evening, saw his earlier spot-kick denied by Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The miss proved costly, as Los Blancos were unable to recover the deficit.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti addressed the decision to let Vinicius take the penalty, pointing to a broader issue the team has faced from 12 yards this season.
“It’s been a difficult season,” the Italian tactician admitted.
“Bellingham has missed, Mbappe has missed, and now Vinícius has missed too. But I wanted to give him some confidence.”
Ancelotti’s words reflect the challenges Real Madrid have faced with consistency from the spot, despite having multiple attacking stars in their ranks.
While Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe have both found the net regularly this season, their penalty records haven’t been spotless.
The coach’s decision was clearly motivated by a desire to lift Vinicius’ spirits and reinforce his importance to the team.
Vinicius, who remains a key figure in the Madrid attack, has had a season of ups and downs due to injury setbacks and inconsistent form.
However, he showed his quality with a well-taken goal later in the match, even as it wasn’t enough to prevent Real’s slip-up against relegation-threatened Valencia.
The defeat marked a rare stumble in Real Madrid’s domestic campaign, but Ancelotti was quick to stand by his players, reiterating his faith in the squad’s depth and character.
While fans continue to debate the penalty pecking order, Ancelotti’s approach emphasizes trust, belief, and long-term confidence-building over short-term criticism.
