Real Madrid News
Real Madrid winger lashes out on the touchline after being ignored for substitution
Real Madrid came back from a goal down to secure a hard-fought victory over RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
The Bernabeu rejoiced at the win while the players seemingly enjoyed themselves despite there being moments when tempers flared on the pitch.
But, one Real Madrid star who cut a frustrated figure on the day was Marco Asensio. Coming up against his former team, the 26-year-old winger was hoping to get some game-time but had to watch on from the sidelines as Carlo Ancelotti did not deem it necessary to call on him.
Asensio’s anger boiled over in the second period when he was overlooked by the manager after Lucas Vazquez picked up an injury. Ancelotti threw on Dani Carvajal in place of the injured Spaniard, which drew a fiery reaction from Asensio.
As reported by MARCA, the former RCD Mallorca ace got up from where he was seated and threw his bib to the ground in anger before kicking a water bottle as he expressed his frustration over the lack of game-time coming towards him.
Asensio has fallen to the bottom of the pecking order in Real Madrid’s attacking department. The Spaniard had been informed about his standing well ahead of the season and was made available for a transfer. However, a lack of offers to his preference saw the winger stay put.
But, having remained at the club, Asensio has played just 17 minutes of football so far for Real Madrid, featuring for seven minutes against Celta Vigo in La Liga and ten minutes in the Champions League clash versus Celtic.
It will be interesting to see what Ancelotti makes of the Spanish international’s angry reaction on the touchline during the Mallorca clash.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid rising star suffered against Atletico due to veteran forward’s absence, says Simeone
Real Madrid’s 3-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid was not the first time were in trouble this season. In fact, the Merengues have gone behind early in almost every league game so far.
However, the difference on Sunday night was that they never really mounted a comeback. More importantly, Jude Bellingham did not come good, for the first time.
Simeone unravels the mystery
A jubilant Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his side downed Real Madrid by three goals to one and spoke about a plethora of topics.
Interestingly, he commented specifically on why Bellingham did not have an impact at Civitas Metropolitano, citing the absence of Joselu as a key factor.
“No, the spaces were reduced and I think that Joselu’s lack of presence left him with fewer chances to get there, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial play. We controlled him better, he’s extraordinary,” he said, as quoted by AS.
He even called out the refereeing on the night and insisted that the Real Madrid star-boy should have seen red for his late tackle on Angel Correa, saying:
“It looked like a sending-off to me live, it was a hard leg up, with Angelito hitting the ball.”
Ironically, he defended his defender Jose Maria Gimenez for an equally threatening tackle on the night.
“A bad foul, it’s a yellow card because it goes sideways. Bellingham goes from the front and I think it’s a bit more,” he stated paradoxically.
No time to lament
The game at Civitas Metropolitano may not have gone Real Madrid’s way. Yet, it is good for the Merengues to taste defeat early and see the gaping holes in their dynamic.
Carlo Ancelotti admitted in his press conference that he bore the lion’s share of the fault for Sunday’s loss and that he would have done things differently if given the chance.
“Maybe I could have done it better. It’s pretty clear. When the team doesn’t do what it has to do, it’s my responsibility,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Los Blancos have a hectic schedule ahead with two games in the next five days and a UCL fixture against Napoli next week. With Vinicius Jr back, one hopes they find their mojo once again.
