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Graham Hunter, Spanish writer
Pointless outpouring followed Real Madrid2-2 draw of Valencia on Saturday — because Los Blancos was denied a dramatic extra-time goal by the referee who blew the whistle for the entire match — it was half-hearted, misguided and laughable as the match was thunderous, fun and memorable. What that angry brigade, most of whom orbit this powerful club, don’t seem to care about is that not only are they completely wrong in their angry outcry, they really only succeeds in muddying the waters surrounding what actually happened.
Just in case you weren’t following, Valencia’s 2-0 lead was withdrawn after Madrid woke up and by the end of the match referee Jesus Gil Manzano received a lot of criticism for complying FIFA regulations down to every detail.
Afterward Vinicius Junior leveled the game with two goals — one of which he celebrated in the same manner as Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics — Gil Manzano spent all of the extra time, plus a little some more time, to compete and then blow the whistle. He has done so before Brahim Diaz pass the ball to Jude Bellingham to score what would have been the winning goal… had the game not ended. There was a fight on the field, Bellingham received a red card for making harsh comments to the referee, a fight in the tunnel and then a series of nonsense around him. Los Blancos in Spanish sports media and on social networks.
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The rules of the game say absolutely nothing about the referee being required or advised to make a finishing move, either by a goal or a clearance, before blowing the whistle to signal the end of the first half or the end of the game. match. Some say it should have been that way, by “custom” rather than by law, but in particular, I saw nothing but relief on the faces of the Madrid players and staff when Gil Manzano himself blew the whistle in the first half. amid a promising attack by Valencia while leading 2-1. So I called Madrid’s reaction hypocritical when the shoe was on the other foot about 50 minutes later.
Having co-commented the match, I can say that Gil Manzano’s first full-time whistle was clear before Brahim sent in a cross which Bellingham converted and was devastated to be left out. Furthermore, the referee gave play the extra time specified and more: he was not only in the right but also in the right.
After the match, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti suggested that something “beyond human understanding” had happened. Now, let the record show that I think Madrid’s Italian coach is truly the greatest of all time: he belongs on football’s Mount Rushmore. But this tirade was not only misjudged; he is wrong.
I remember a similar incident in the 1978 World Cup match between Brazil And Sweden. (At the time, Ancelotti was already an established Parma player and was about to be signed by Roma). Worse yet, Carletto, he doesn’t remember the same thing happening to Karim Benzema when you were his Madrid coach in 2014?
It’s the World Cup in Brazil, June 20, to be exact: France is leading Switzerland The score was 5-2 when Benzema sent in a cross from the right wing, only for referee Bjorn Kuipers to disallow the goal for blowing the final whistle while the cross was in the air. Others have commented on more recent “goals” in the dying moments, after being judged by Spanish football’s referees to have run out of time.
Overall, the vitriol that ensued was ridiculous. In various media, there have been repeated uses of hyperbole, such as “historic scandal”, “the biggest scandal in recent years”, “shameful ” and “a tainted tournament” — it’s all about a 100% correct decision within the rules of the sport.
In addition to the damage to the reputation of those who self-soothe by crying, there is also damage to where the focus could have been. Choose what you want to start with, but I choose positive.
Vinicius found the presence of mind, wit and strength of character to score twice in a narrowly lost match and in which he produced a rather sedate performance. That is an important trait to possess. Kudos to him.
Everyone will have their own opinion, but in the constant and painfully slow battle to find the right method of fighting and educating against racism, the Brazilian player imitated the raising of the Smith’s fist saluted, pointing it towards the fans repeatedly insulted him, sit well with me. It’s elegant, dignified, rooted in history, and it sends a clear message that won’t get him a ticket or deportation. I applaud what he did.
More positive?
Brahim has had to swallow the fact that despite his lovely form in recent weeks, the return of mighty Bellingham means the dynamic midfielder is once again on the bench. However, he performed brilliantly after getting involved in a frenzied melee after the hour when his team were 2-1 down. While the “assist” for Bellingham’s disallowed header in the 99th minute had no merit, so did his overall play – and the simply magical ball he passed to Vinicius for the second goal. – speaks to a guy in the prime of his life and in blistering form. Spain need to start picking and playing him immediately, otherwise Marocwho he qualifies, can attract a generation of talent to represent them.
Now, the negatives have been obscured.
In the first half, while Valencia played hard, Madrid was sleepy and sloppy. My opinion is that some of the anger that erupted when Gil Manzano denied what would have been their late winner was not just competitive rage, but an aftertaste of the embarrassment that they thought they were out after those first terrible 45 minutes.
Valverde and Kroos made very rare mistakes, while Vinicius and Carvajal were directly responsible for Valencia’s two goals, respectively. Los Chea team of young players and outstanding, significantly superior players.
Is it a disaster? Are not. Madrid remain favorites to win the tournament, but the subtle lethargy and preventable errors can be contextualized by some of the play in their two draws, against Rayo and Atletico , in the past four matches. A blip, but a worrying one.
Normally all of this – Vinicius, Brahim, Madrid’s erratic form – would be in the spotlight, but most of the discussion involves praise and outrage about something it isn’t. real problem.
However, human nature being what it is, that is something that Madrid, as an organization, should evaluate. Could their well-timed attack on the referees cause a conscious or subconscious backlash? You are the judge.
Now comes the second date with RB Leipzig. Madrid are leading 1-0 on aggregate in the Champions League round of 16 match and will have to cope. They are the better side and should be trusted to progress. But part of what’s so fascinating and commendable — at least to me — is the way Madrid is, when in an extreme statecreated a series of very late goals, either at the last minute or in injury time (Union Berlin twice, Naples, Barcelona, GetafeAlmeria, Atletico, Celta to name a few) have helped rescue or win this season.
Could their anxiety and anger in Valencia be related to an internal awareness that constantly living on the edge, as they often do, is exciting and thrilling, as long as you never fall?
