Real Madrid News
Revealed: What the VAR official told the referee to overturn penalty against Real Madrid
Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the season with a comfortable 4-0 win over Malaga at the Bernabeu.
The result kept Jose Mourinho’s side top of the pile with three wins from three, though the game was not without a moment of controversy late on.
That came in the form of a VAR intervention, which saw a penalty initially awarded against Real Madrid subsequently overturned.
What the VAR official said
The incident occurred in the 84th minute, when referee Juan Martinez Munuera pointed to the spot for a handball by Yan Diomande following a clearance from Antonio Rudiger.
However, Martinez Munuera was quickly advised to review the decision by VAR official Daniel Trujillo Suarez.
“Juan, I recommend a review for you to analyse a potential cancellation of the penalty,” came the message from the VAR room, as captured by Movistar+.
Once at the monitor, the officials talked through the passage of play. It was explained that Rudiger had been the first to head the ball, with the referee then confirming his change of mind.
“Okay, it is Rudiger, it is Rudiger who heads towards Diomande. Okay, perfect. Cancel penalty, I cancel penalty,” Martinez Munuera said.
A correct call per the new guidelines
The decision to overturn the penalty aligns neatly with this season’s updated CTA guidelines on handball.
The new manual makes clear that it is not a penalty when the ball touches the arm of a defender after having bounced off another part of the body, another player or the ground, arriving unexpectedly following a change of trajectory.
In this instance, with the ball having come off Rudiger’s header before striking Diomande, the contact was deemed accidental and unpunishable under the revised interpretation.
It ensured Real Madrid’s clean sheet remained intact, capping a routine afternoon for Mourinho’s men.
With their flawless start now extended to three straight victories, Real Madrid have laid down an early marker in the title race, and will look to carry that momentum into their trip to face Real Betis.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
