Vinicius Jr said a Manchester City banner mocking him at the start of the Champions League game at the Etihad motivated him to play better.. As the teams came out for the first leg of their play-off, fans in the South Stand held up a giant banner of Rodri clutching the Ballon d’Or and the Oasic lyric ‘Stop crying your heart out’. Blues were fiercely proud of the Spaniard becoming the first City play to win the biggest individual prize in the game and Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the awards when they knew that Vinicius would not be winning was seen as disrespectful.. The banner got all of the home fans up for the game, but also put an extra spring into Vinicius. The Brazilian forward regularly menaced the City defence and had a hand in two goals. His shot was parried by Ederson into the path of Brahim Diaz to make it 2-2, and he then poked the ball past the City keeper for Jude Bellingham to score an injury-time winner.. Speaking after the game, the 24-year-old told TV: I saw the banner from Man City fans… and it motivated me even more. Whenever rival fans do things, it gives me more strength to play a great game”. Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for his whole team, particularly a back four who he said had never trained together before never mind played together. He also saw extra motivation from Vinicius in another thrilling game between these two sides.. “I don’t know if Vini saw that sign but looking at the game if he did see it it has been a huge source of motivation for him,” he said. “Today he’s been very dangerous at all times, the whole front four have.”
