FORMER Arsenal star Gabriel Paulista caused a huge melee after taking a wild kick at Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian defender was in Valencia’s defence as they headed to the Bernabeu to take on Real Madrid tonight in LaLiga.
He played a key role in shutting out the Champions League holders during the first half before things quickly went pear-shaped.
Marco Asensio finally broke the resistance seven minutes after the restart as he fired past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Then, just moments later, it was 2-0 as Vinicius Jr produced a brilliant solo effort.
But just as it seemed things could not get any worse for Valencia then Paulista saw red after taking aim at his compatriot with a punt that sent his rival “into next week”, according to the commentators.
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Vinicius had the ball out on the left flank and was going nowhere when the 32-year-old decided to boot the Madrid forward high up into the air after he had knocked the ball past him.
Players from both teams instantly raced over as the referee gave the ex-Gooner his marching orders.
Fortunately Vinicius Jr, who appeared to escape unhurt, was one of the first to confront Paulista as a host of his team-mates joined while Valencia’s team tried to stand up for and then get their man away.
But even when Paulista had made it to the touchline he still had to get past fellow Brazilian Eder Militao – who had gone off injured earlier for Madrid – before making it to the changing-room.
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Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will have been a relieved man after witnessing two of his most-trusted stars limp off before this nasty episode.
Los Blancos, who defeated Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in last season’s final, face the Reds again in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 at Anfield on February 21.
However, they could be sweating on the fitness of their talisman striker Karim Benzema as well as Militao.
The 35-year-old, who was forced to pull out of his country’s World Cup squad through injury, pulled up after accelerating clear of the defence on the hour mark.
He then left the field with what appeared to be a right hamstring problem.
Militao was forced off after just 36 minutes at the Bernabeu after falling to the turf in agony.
Initial reports are claiming that he has damaged his right groin or that it could be a potential adductor injury.
Despite the double blow, Madrid were still able to close the gap on Barcelona to five points at the top of the table after the 2-0 triumph.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
