Real Madrid News
Ivan Rakitic blames referee for Sevilla defeat: ‘Camavinga should have been sent off’
Carlo Ancelotti has had few options on midfield apart from the usual trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro this season. However, one youngster whom he has trusted is Eduardo Camavinga.
The young French star received a start against Sevilla last night, and made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Half an hour into the game, Camavinga went into the referee’s book for a late challenge on Jesus Corona. Despite being on a yellow card, he did not slow down.
The youngster jumped into a rash challenge on Anthony Martial in the 38th minute. He dived towards the Englishman from the back, catching his ankle leading to a horrific clash.
Sevilla erupted in unison asking for a second yellow to cut short Camavinga’s stay. However, the referee decided that it was not enough to warrant a red card and booked Martial instead.
Ivan Rakitic spoke to the media in the post-match press conference (h/t DAZN) and said he felt that Camavinga should have received his marching orders. He also gave his verdict about Vinicius Jr’s 78th-minute goal that was ruled out for ball handling.
“Camavinga should’ve been sent off and the goal Vinicius scored was a clear handball. I don’t know why there were so many protests.”
Camavinga played 45 minutes at the Ramon Sanchez Pijzuan before being replaced by Rodrygo. He had 40 touches, completed 90% of his passes, and completed two recoveries on the night.
Nevertheless, it is safe to say that Ancelotti’s decision to bring on Rodrygo was the right one as the Brazilian was instrumental in Los Blancos’ comeback.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
