Ancelotti left astounded by referee’s controversial call in Valencia draw

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was left bewildered by referee Gil Manzano’s decision to blow the final whistle just as Jude Bellingham’s header seemed destined for the net, denying Los Blancos a dramatic last-gasp winner against Valencia.

The pulsating La Liga encounter ended 2-2, but the post-match focus shifted towards a contentious officiating call. In the dying seconds of the game, Bellingham rose highest to meet a cross, sending the ball towards the goal.

However, Manzano inexplicably blew the final whistle before the ball crossed the line, leaving the young English midfielder and the entire Real Madrid contingent fuming.

“It was something I’d never seen before,” stated a visibly frustrated Ancelotti in the post-match press conference at Mestalla. “If he had whistled when he disallowed the goal, it would have been understandable. But he allowed the play to continue, and we had a clear chance to score.”

Ancelotti’s frustrations extended beyond the final whistle. He also questioned Manzano’s decision to brandish a yellow card to Bellingham for his reaction to the disallowed goal.

“We are also disappointed with the yellow card shown to Bellingham,” Ancelotti continued. “He might have spoken strongly to the referee, but it was a natural reaction. He didn’t insult him; he simply said in English, ‘It’s a f**king goal.’ I believe the referee made a mistake, and we’ll have to wait and see what he writes in his report.”

Despite the controversial ending, Ancelotti acknowledged the importance of maintaining composure and focusing on the upcoming challenges.

“The dressing room is still hot right now, but we need to move on,” he stressed. “We have a crucial match against Leipzig on Wednesday, and while tonight is frustrating, we can still take comfort in the fact that the league table remains favorable.”

The controversial end overshadowed Vinicius Jr.’s impressive performance. The young Brazilian winger, who has been subjected to criticism and even racist abuse in recent games, put in a decisive display, showcasing his attacking prowess.

Ancelotti attributed Vinicius’s effectiveness partly to Valencia defender Foulquier’s outstanding performance, which forced the winger to adapt his approach and focus on playing through the middle rather than relying solely on his pace on the flanks.