Soccer-Ancelotti plays peacemaker ahead of Real, Vinicius return to Valencia


Soccer Football - LaLiga - Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid - Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, Madrid, Spain - February 18, 2024 Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti before the match REUTERS/Ana Beltran/ File photo

MADRID (Reuters) - Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti sought to calm the waters around their highly anticipated match at Valencia on Saturday, when his team will return to a stadium where Brazil winger Vinicius Jr was racially abused last year.

Anticipating a fiery atmosphere, Spanish authorities declared the match 'high risk' and ordered police reinforcements. It will be the first time Real and 23-year-old Vinicius have been back to Mestalla since May 2023, when racist slurs were allegedly hurled at the Brazilian.

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