'It can't be easy with the insults' - Carlo Ancelotti sympathises with Vinicius Junior after red card at Valencia and hopes Real Madrid star isn't hit with further ban

Vinicius was shown a direct red card during Madrid's dramatic 2-1 win over Valencia on Friday after he shoved goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the head. A committee meeting has been scheduled to deliberate on the incident and the members will decide whether to hand the Brazilian a lengthy ban for his aggressive behaviour.

Manager Ancelotti, however, hopes that his star player does not get a major punishment which he feels was not grave enough to earn a red card in the first place. He also sympathised with the 24-year-old's situation.

Speaking to reporters, the Italian coach said: "We continue to be convinced that it wasn’t red, it was yellow. We hope he that he isn’t suspended for many games. I’m not in his shoes, but it can’t be easy to put up with everything that happens, the insults… But he tries to improve, I think he has improved. He is obviously sad about the red, he apologised, but we have to look forward.

"What happens in the stadiums… I think he has improved his attitude a lot. You can continue to improve, but no one is perfect. He has improved so much that he is the best player in the world."

Los Blancos will be back in action on Monday as they take on Deportivo Minera in a Copa del Rey round of 32 clash away from home, with Vinicius eligible to feature.