Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois blasted Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista after his red card last night.

Gabriel was sent off during Valencia's 2-0 defeat for kicking Vini Jr in the second-half.

Courtois, who was playing his 150th game for Real, said afterwards: "I don't know why he kicked him. You have to protect Vini.

"He is a very expressive kid on the pitch and he pulls off a lot of dribbling moves that defenders don't like. It's his way of playing and we need him to unbalance defences.

"In many games he gets kicked and today the referee had the courage to send the player off for a kick without the ball; with no rhyme or reason."