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MADRID: Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior is not happy with how he is being treated by referees and wants more protection for talented players like himself, Lamine Yamal and Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez.<\/p>\n
Vin\u00edcius spoke out after Real Madrid\u2019s 4-3 come-from-behind win at Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Brazil forward also acknowledged he is going through a slump, but said he had \u201cno doubt\u201d he will regain his best form soon.<\/p>\n
The match against Roma came hours after he was handed a four-game suspension in the Spanish league after being sent off for pulling the hair of an opponent and for protesting against the referee.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t recall any other player receiving a four-match suspension. I tried to move the player in front of me out of the way, and I ended up getting caught in his hair,\u201d Vin\u00edcius said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was it \u2014 a red card \u2014 which is why I was so surprised. I didn\u2019t say a single offensive word to the referee that would warrant a four-match ban. But when it comes to Vini, it\u2019s all too easy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opposing team will always say it\u2019s justified, and the press will say the same. I understand that. I\u2019m here to keep evolving and improving, because I know where I\u2019ve come from and what I\u2019m capable of achieving,\u201d Vinicius added.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s understandable for the opposing fans to jeer me, because my job is to score goals against their team, but I don\u2019t get the referees.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen the stats: I\u2019ve been on the receiving end of 500 fouls, yet that has only resulted in five red cards. In the end, the yellow cards always seem to go to Vini, to the attacking players. We need to protect the players who bring something different to the game, like Lamine at Barcelona or Juli\u00e1n at Atleti. Defenders are allowed to foul me the entire match but in the end it\u2019s me who gets the card.\u201d<\/p>\n
Madrid coach Jos\u00e9 Mourinho complained of the timing of the announcement of the suspension.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think it\u2019s normal for a player from a Spanish team, preparing for an important match that\u2019s also crucial for Spanish soccer, to find out about his four-match suspension just two hours before kickoff?\u201d Mourinho said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were on the bus about to arrive at the stadium when we found out … they\u2019ve started doing things without any shame.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vin\u00edcius slump<\/p>\n
Vin\u00edcius, who hasn\u2019t scored for Madrid since August, was replaced in the 59th minute of Madrid\u2019s victory before the team rallied from 3-1 down.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m working to get back to my best as soon as possible,\u201d Vin\u00edcius said. \u201cI know I\u2019m not at my peak right now, but I\u2019ve been through worse, and even when people have doubted me, I\u2019ve always stood up for this club. That\u2019s why I signed a six-year contract extension.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe good run of form will return, and the goals will come back, too. I\u2019m certain of that. I have no doubt. I\u2019m here to help the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old Vin\u00edcius has scored only two goals for club and country this season, one for Madrid in the team\u2019s second league match, and another with Brazil in a friendly against Australia in September.<\/p>\n
He downplayed his frustration after Mourinho substituted him on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s natural for me to get upset when I\u2019m substituted because I always want to play every single match. I\u2019m well aware of my current form and how I\u2019m playing. I\u2019m here to help the team, and sometimes you have to come off so that other players can get on and change the dynamic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMourinho and I have a great relationship. He\u2019s always straight with me. Of course I got a little annoyed when I came off today, but that\u2019s normal. In the end he was right, the team improved, and that\u2019s what matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vin\u00edcius was replaced by Endrick, who scored an 85th-minute equalizer before Antonio R\u00fcdiger gave Madrid the win in the 90th.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Real Madrid. We needed a match like this to shift the dynamic and turn the season around a bit,\u201d Vin\u00edcius said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to help and give us a boost because the younger players stepped up. They played a great game.<\/p>\n
\u201cEndrick played an incredible match. He scored and really helped us out. That\u2019s why he was named man of the match.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of his suspension, Vin\u00edcius will miss Sunday\u2019s home match against Sevilla and the following week\u2019s trip for the \u201cclasico\u201d against Barcelona. He will also miss away matches at Racing Santander and Valencia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n