Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar handed one-match ban after red card vs Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde has been suspended for one match by the RFEF Competitions Committee following the red card he received against Atletico Madrid.
The Real Madrid player was sent off in the 77th minute of the derby, with referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero issuing a straight red card for a tackle on Alex Baena.
In his report, the official stated that the dismissal was due to Valverde delivering a “kick to an opponent when the ball was not within playing distance and using excessive force”.
Although a two-match ban had been expected based on the referee’s report, the minimum punishment has been applied. As a result, Valverde will only miss the match against RCD Mallorca on 4 April.
This decision comes despite support for the referee’s call from the Technical Committee of Referees, who insisted that the match official had made no mistake.
Real Madrid had appealed the red card, arguing that the red card was issued only because of the history betweeen Valverde and Baena.
But the appeal was unsuccessful, with Valverde now set to serve a one-match ban against Mallorca right after the international break.
Valverde has been in fine form in recent weeks for Real Madrid, and as such, his absence against a tricky opponent like Mallorca will be a blow.
The Merengues are expected to take the case to the Appeals Committee in an attempt to have the suspension overturned, although such a move is unlikely to succeed.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Bernardo Silva was one of Real Madrid’s headline signings last summer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived on a free transfer from Manchester City and appeared destined to become the creative successor to Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the middle of the park.
Indeed, with the club having not signed a new central midfielder, many within Real Madrid saw the veteran star as a solution to the issue.
Manager Jose Mourinho made him a starter from the very beginning in pre-season, but not in his usual role on the right. Instead, he deployed his compatriot as a deep-lying playmaker in the midfield double pivot.
A change in circumstances
Silva failed to have the expected influence when operating in a deeper role in midfield in the chances he got.
Combined with the emergence of Arda Guler and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return to fitness, the Portuguese international has now lost his place in the starting line-up and dropped to the bench.
Bernardo’s situation became particularly striking against Villarreal this past Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he did not play a single minute.
Limited opportunities under Mourinho
Bernardo has played six matches for Real Madrid, starting three and coming on as a substitute in another three.
He did not feature against Villarreal or Elche, while his only appearance in the last three matches was a little over 10 minutes against Atletico Madrid. He was not used regularly by the Portugal national team during the international break either.
Across Real Madrid’s eight La Liga fixtures, Silva has accumulated just 282 minutes of playing time.
The Champions League now presents another opportunity for the former Manchester City captain, who has yet to make his European debut for Real Madrid this season.
He missed the match against Inter Milan because he was still serving a suspension carried over from his time at the Etihad Stadium last season.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will give him an opportunity against AS Roma in the coming week.
For now, the midfielder’s reduced playing time suggests that the Portuguese coach has lost some of his faith in a player who arrived with high expectations after leaving Manchester City.
