Ancelotti fumes at harsh Ibra red card
Paris Saint-Germain manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his frustration at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's red card despite coming away with a 2-1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla.
By FOX Sports Staff
PSG dominated the game and took a comfortable two-goal lead after Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore found the net in the first half. They could have gone three goals ahead when Clement Chantome turned the ball home following a free-kick in the 72nd minute, but the midfielder was ruled to have been coming back from an offside position.
The French side were pegged back at the last moment when Adil Rami struck from a set pice in stoppage-time to give Valencia a slim hope at the return leg. To make matters worse for the Ligue 1 leaders, star striker Ibrahimovic was then sent off after a perceived stamp on Andres Guardado.
Ancelotti was displeased with the decisions that went against his side's way, especially with Ibrahimovic's dismissal which meant that he will miss the return leg at Parc des Princes
"Our third goal should've have stood," Ancelotti told Canal+.
"Ibrahimovic's red card was not deserved. I don't understand it. It's not fair.
"We conceded a goal and Ibrahimovic got a red card and I don't think that he deserved it because it was a normal tackle. And so, because of this, we are really disappointed because the play was really good, we played really well, focused on the game, and for this we have to be happy but the end of the game was not good for us.
"I think it was a normal tackle, nothing special, I was surprised to see a red card."
PSG hold the advantage with a 2-1 away win but Ancelotti is determined to not be complacent when hosting Valencia in a fortnight's time for the second leg.
"Valencia are a good team and we have to know that we have played just the first half of this game, and we have to play the second half at home," he added.
"It will be better for us, but we have to pay attention."
Defender Mamadou Sakho echoed Ancelotti's disappointment, but stressed that the night should still be remembered for all the right reasons.
"We're disappointed to concede a goal, especially at the end of the game," Sakho told reporters.
"But overall, it's a good result. To come here and win is very good after all. With Ibrahimovic, it is known that with his character, he may release a small gesture like that. But we must especially remember the victory."
PSG director Leonardo rued Ibrahimovic's sending-off and felt that the Swede's notorious reputation did him no favour.
"Ibrahimovic's red card was a bit severe," the Brazilian told beIN Sport.
"It was because of his reputation."