Real Madrid Frustrated by Rüdiger Injury, Controversial Romero Tackle in Espanyol Defeat

Posted : 03 February 2025

Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat to Espanyol left the club frustrated on multiple fronts. The early injury to Antonio Rüdiger, who exited the pitch in the 14th minute and is expected to be sidelined for weeks, was a major blow. However, even more infuriating for the team was Carlos Romero's harsh tackle on Kylian Mbappé, which resulted in only a yellow card.

Many, including former referees, believe the foul deserved a red, especially since Romero went on to score the winning goal in the 85th minute. The sense of injustice among Real Madrid players and fans was heightened by the perceived failure of the VAR officials to intervene.

Carlo Ancelotti did not hold back in his criticism of referee Alejandro Muñiz and the VAR team during the post-match press conference. "It's incomprehensible. Everyone saw it. The most important thing is to protect the player," Ancelotti stated. He described the tackle as a "clear red card offense" and questioned why VAR failed to act. Fortunately, Mbappé escaped without serious injury, but Ancelotti emphasized that the technology exists precisely to prevent such dangerous play.

Meanwhile, Romero approached Mbappé after the game to apologize, admitting he knew he had little chance of stopping the French forward fairly. Espanyol coach Manolo González defended his player, insisting the tackle was meant to disrupt the attack rather than cause harm.

The controversial decision continued to spark debate, with former Spanish referee Iturralde González calling it an obvious red-card offense. "It's not just red, it's a bright red," González said in an interview with AS. He criticized the VAR team for failing to call the referee’s attention to the foul, arguing that Romero clearly missed the ball and went straight for the player.

Marca, another Madrid-based outlet, also condemned the challenge, calling it "criminal" and expressing relief that Mbappé was not seriously injured. The incident has added to growing concerns about inconsistent officiating in La Liga.

Adding to Real Madrid's concerns, the team now faces a depleted defensive lineup ahead of crucial matches. With Rüdiger joining Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and David Alaba on the injury list, the squad is severely weakened just days before key fixtures. They are set to face Leganés in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, followed by a league derby against Atlético Madrid and a Champions League clash with Manchester City.

Ancelotti acknowledged the defensive crisis, stating, "Rüdiger has a muscle injury, and we need to assess it. We have discussed strengthening the squad, and we know what we need to do." As Madrid looks to navigate this challenging stretch, the team must regroup quickly amid mounting frustrations.

Real Madrid Frustrated by Rüdiger Injury, Controversial Romero Tackle in Espanyol Defeat

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