Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti fired a warning to Vinicius Jr. to have ‘more responsibility’ after the Brazilian acted badly to being substituted on Sunday.
The Brazilian didn’t appreciate being hooked in the 85th minute of the 3-0 home win over Real Valladolid, and being replaced by Dani Ceballos despite the points being secure while Madrid will play again on Thursday and Sunday.
In the same press conference where he discussed replacing Rodrygo, Ancelotti touched on a small storm in a teapot with Ballon d’Or hopeful ‘Vini’.
Though he wasn’t asked about the row directly, Ancelotti answered a question about the pressure he might feel to leave the likes of second half substitutes Brahim Diaz and Endrick on the bench in the coming weeks, and used the opportunity to fire a message to Vinicius.
Insisting that he doesn’t not feel any pressure, Ancelotti said he’s “very happy that those who have fewer minutes are ready and take advantage of the minutes I give them”.
“There is no pressure, making the line-ups is always complicated. An example is Lucas Vazquez who is always one of the best in training and has not played,” Ancelotti added.
“Making the line ups is very complicated, it is difficult and it bothers me, it makes me sad to choose but it is my responsibility to choose eleven to start the match.
“In this heat the players get tired and I think it would be right for them to raise their hands but it has never happened in 40 years and I have to choose the ones I think are tired, although they may be the freshest on the pitch,” Ancelotti went on, with regards to playing what was a five o’ clock kick off local time in the Spanish capital, in intense Sunday afternoon heat.
Getting on to Vinicius, Ancelotti stated: “I think the players should have more responsibility in that sense because I have more resources on the bench, players who are good and who deserve to play. I say it here because I have already spoken about it with them in the dressing room”.
With matches against Las Palmas and Real Betis across four days later in the week, it remains to be seen if Ancelotti gives rests to the likes of Vinicius and Rodrygo while Brahim and Endrick perhaps get the prominence they deserve.
Source: forbes.com
