Vinicius Jr. Confident Madrid Will Recover After Defeat, Anticipates 'Spectacle at the Bernabeu' Against Atletico
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Synopsis
On March 2, Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. reflected on the team's recent defeat against Real Betis, labeling it a 'disappointing match.' He urged fans to create an electrifying atmosphere for the upcoming Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Key Takeaways
- Vinicius Jr. describes the loss against Betis as a bad match.
- He calls for fans to bring madness to the Bernabeu for the Champions League.
- The recent match marks the third Madrid derby of the season.
- Real Madrid lost 2-1 in a challenging encounter.
- Coach Ancelotti emphasizes the need for improvement to defeat Atletico.
Madrid, March 2 (NationPress) Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr acknowledged that the defeat against Real Betis was a disappointing match by their standards. He called on the fans to create excitement at the Santiago Bernabeu for the opening leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday (IST).
This upcoming face-off marks the third and fourth Madrid derby of the season, with the previous two league fixtures ending in draws.
“A disappointing match yesterday for everyone, but it’s over!!!! Let Tuesday be a spectacle at the Bernabeu!! We need you all!!!!! See you there!,” Vinicius posted on 'X'.
Real Madrid faced a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín in a tough contest. The Blancos started strong, taking an early lead in the 10th minute through a well-coordinated team effort. Mbappe executed a quick turn and accurate pass to Mendy, who set up Brahim to score.
However, Betis responded effectively and equalized in the 33rd minute with a header from Johnny following an Isco corner. The hosts nearly took the lead before halftime, but Courtois delivered a crucial save.
The second half proved challenging for Madrid. Isco converted a penalty in the 54th minute after Rudiger fouled Jesus Rodríguez, putting Betis ahead. Madrid pressed for a response, but despite opportunities from Endrick and Vini Jr., they were unable to equalize. Betis almost extended their lead when Cucho Hernandez missed a clear chance, and ultimately, the match concluded 2-1 in favor of Betis.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that if Los Blancos perform in a similar manner during the two-legged tie against Atletico, they won’t be victorious.
“If we play like that, we're not going to win on Tuesday, that’s quite obvious. Hopefully, this match will serve as a wake-up call, a lesson. The team seemed more organized and compact in recent times, but today we didn't manage to replicate that as in previous games,” Ancelotti stated at the post-match press conference.
