Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe received a red card during the team’s 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves in La Liga, a decision that assistant coach Davide Ancelotti attributed to a string of repeated fouls and frustrations against the French striker throughout the match. This incident occurred before halftime when the referee changed his initial yellow card decision after reviewing the play through VAR, leading to Mbappe’s dismissal for a tackle on Alaves’ Antonio Blanco.
Ancelotti, who led the team in the absence of head coach Carlo Ancelotti due to a suspension, expressed understanding for Mbappe’s reaction, emphasizing that it stemmed from the accumulation of small fouls against him. “Kylian is certainly not a violent guy… he is aware of the mistake he has made,” he remarked during the press conference.
Despite playing with ten men, Real Madrid managed to secure the win thanks to Eduardo Camavinga’s brilliant curled shot in the 34th minute. However, the match proved challenging as Alaves posed several threats, outplaying Real Madrid for much of the second half. The situation became more even after Alaves lost a player themselves, with Manu Sanchez being sent off for a dangerous foul on Vinicius Jr. in the 70th minute.
Ancelotti recognized the difficulties presented by the match but expressed optimism about the victory, which he believes will bolster team confidence ahead of their crucial Champions League quarterfinal match against Arsenal. The club will need to draw upon its resilience as they prepare to face the challenge of overcoming a 3-0 deficit from the first leg of the tie.
The ongoing and intense competition in La Liga and the Champions League illustrates the pressure faced by teams at this stage of the season. As fans look forward to upcoming fixtures, there remains a sense of hope that Real Madrid can build on their recent performances and turn their fortunes around in the next match.
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