Winger says no offence intended towards Barcelona players and fans
Vinicius Junior has said the Real Madrid squad didn’t mean to offend Barcelona players or fans after their 2-1 victory in Sunday’s clásico at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After the game a scuffle broke out between both teams. Vinicius had gone down the tunnel in angry reaction to being substituted in the 72nd minute, but he returned to the bench and was later involved in the clash at full time.
Barcelona’s Raphinha, who wasn’t even in the matchday squad, also came down from the stands to join the confrontation.
“A message to all Madridistas, especially those who came to the Bernabeu and supported us,” Vinicius later told Real Madrid TV.
“The clásico is like that. There are a lot of things happening on and off the pitch.
“We try to maintain a balance, but it’s not always possible. We didn’t want to offend anyone, not Barcelona players, nor the fans.
“We know that when we step onto the pitch we have to defend our side, and that’s how it was today.”
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham sealed a victory for Madrid that both ended a run of four defeats in el clásico and took them five points clear of Barcelona at the summit of La Liga.
Manager Xabi Alonso also downplayed the post-match confrontation.
“It’s the tension of the moment, for them and us,” said Alonso. “These scuffles have always happened, not just in these games.
“A lot of things were happening in the game. It can be healthy, as long as there’s respect. That is how I saw it anyway.”
