Radical Change: Ancelotti Reveals What Happened after Vinícius's Red Card at Mestalla

Carlo Ancelotti's appearance in Valdebebas before the game against Las Palmas was the perfect moment to solve some doubts accumulated since the last Thursday's  game. The  victory in the Copa del Rey round of 16 against Celta de Vigo prolongs the doubts about the continuity of the Italian coach on the home bench.

In any case, the coach won't be able to count on one of his best players for the next LaLiga game to be held at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Las Palmas visits the white coliseum and Vinícius's absence has been one of the most asked questions related to the game.

The Reggiolo coach's reply seems to have provided some relief to Madrid fans. Despite being an excellent player, the volatility of his character cost him again in the tense duel at Mestalla. This direct red card expulsion, as well as its repercussions, seems to have motivated the start of an attitudinal change according to the head of the coaching staff.

So much so that Carlo Ancelotti anticipates that "he's calmer because I think he's learned from what's happened recently". The opportunity to reflect on his confrontation with Dimitrievski, as well as the direct red card he received for responding to the Macedonian goalkeeper's provocation, has resonated with the white '7'.

Change on the horizon?

Despite this greater "calmness" that Vinícius seems to show since he was expelled in the match against Valencia, the merengue coach warns that "we haven't talked about this". The only possible focus, for Carlo Ancelotti, regarding Vinícius's sanction is on everything he won't be able to have under his tactical command in the next two matches.

"We obviously miss him. Vini is a great player," the Reggiolo coach states. Aside from that ongoing controversy, which seems very difficult to completely get rid of, Real Madrid must prepare two matches without their current top star.

Vinícius's absence in previous moments this season, due to injury, was solved by a fantastic Jude Bellingham. The English '5' took on the team's leadership since last December, a 'title' he hasn't relinquished despite the return of his verdeamarelo teammate. Kylian Mbappé, showing an in crescendo performance, positions himself as the squire of the 'pride of Birmingham' in this regard.

That would be Carlo Ancelotti's big bet for the upcoming matches without Vinícius Jr. Besides trusting his two most willing strikers, the Italian coach could give valuable opportunities to players like Rodrygo Goes or Brahim Díaz. Both need to string together good performances starting from the line-up to further intensify the debate about the starting eleven in the 'big' matches.