Jude Bellingham was sent off after being denied a late winner at Valencia (Picture: Getty)
Carlo Ancelotti has leapt to Jude Bellingham’s defence after the midfielder’s sending off in the wake of Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Valencia, insisting he did not aim ‘any kind of insult’ at the referee.
Bellingham appeared to have headed home a dramatic winner to seal all three points for Madrid deep into stoppage time at the Mestalla, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano had already blown his whistle to signal full-time.
Vinicius Jr had earlier fired in a double to drag the visitors back into the La Liga clash after Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk both netted in the space of three minutes to give Valencia a two-goal lead.
Tensions boiled over as it became clear that Bellingham had not won the game for Madrid and the 20-year-old sensation – Los Blancos’ top scorer this season – was shown a straight red card for his animated protestations.
Bellingham supposedly yelled, “It’s a f***ing goal, the ball is in the air! What the f*** is that?!”, in Manzano’s face and the official referee report claimed the England international had shown an ‘aggressive attitude’.
The youngster could therefore be slapped with a two or three-match suspension in La Liga, which would see him miss the league leaders’ upcoming matches with Celta Vigo, Osasuna and Athletic.
However, Madrid are expected to appeal the verdict, with Ancelotti disputing Manzano’s claims ahead the second leg of his side’s Champions League round of 16 clash with RB Leipzig – which Bellingham is eligible to play.
The England midfielder looked to have sealed maximum points at the Mestalla (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t need to talk to Bellingham,’ the Madrid boss told reporters in the build-up to the Bernabeu clash.
‘He is a player who tries to give everything on the field.
‘I think the red card was wrong. He was frustrated but he didn’t make any kind of insult.’
Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga echoed his manager’s comments, saying: ‘I don’t know how Bellingham received a red card. It was very strange. Very, very strange.’
Ancelotti’s side hold a 1-0 lead heading into their second leg with RB Leipzig (Picture: Getty)
Madrid are strong favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after Brahim Diaz’s stunning goal at RB Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena gave them a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg.
But Ancelotti insists the tie is far from over and hopes his players are able to reach their ‘best level’ from minute one at the Bernabeu.
‘It is an important opportunity to continue in a special competition for us,’ the Italian explained.
‘We have to bring out our best version because the tie is not over. We have to play at our best level from the first minute to the end.’
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According to Ancelotti, RB Leipzig still pose a ‘very dangerous’ threat to their chances in Europe’s premier competition this season.
‘We have evaluated the first leg, the good things and where we can improve. I think we are prepared and that we are going to show improvement,’ he added.
‘They are a very dangerous team in transitions. The game has to be complete to be able to pass the test.’
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