According to reports, Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s head coach, watched his team’s crucial match against Alaves from the stands. The first half ended 1-0 in favor of Madrid, but Kylian Mbappe’s red card in the 38th minute complicated everything for the team.

Ancelotti was suspended from the sidelines due to receiving his fifth yellow card of the season against Valencia, where he protested the referee’s offside decision regarding Mbappe. Tonight, he could only watch his team’s performance from afar.

Television cameras captured a notable moment. Immediately after Mbappe’s red card, Ancelotti, with a visibly upset expression, stared into space. He held a vape in his hand and was using it, seemingly trying to control the anxiety and anger he usually releases with tense movements and shouts from the sidelines.

It appears that the absence from the bench and the unfolding situation have led the experienced coach to seek ways to calm himself. Ancelotti knows that playing with one less player for half a match at Alaves’ home creates tough conditions for his team, who must face Arsenal in the crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday.