Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended Gabriel Paulista after he was sent off for kicking Vinicius Junior during Valencia's defeat.

Real won 2-0 via goals from Marco Asensio and Vini Jr.

Valencia had to play the last 20 minutes with ten men after Paulista was sent off for a rash challenge on Vincius, that sparked a brawl between the two sets of players. With the winger threatening down the left-hand side, Paulista was beaten by Vinicius and launched his compatriot into the air.

Ancelotti later said: "It came from a moment of frustration and that can happen sometimes in football. He was frustrated because his team weren't playing well. The tackle is a bit ugly, but I can understand it as an ex-footballer. Paulista has always been proper and that's why I think it was a moment of frustration."

On Vini Jr, he added: "He's very impressive in terms of his fitness level. He struggles more in the first half because the opposition play with a higher level of intensity. In the second half he was able to carry the ball off the ball and get in behind them.

"It makes a difference. The full-backs are exhausted at the end of the game because they don't stop. He is doing very well and I think he has room to improve. He's playing at a very high level and he brings a lot to the team."