Real Madrid slipped to defeat against Villarreal
VAR is a beast that is hindering football and the referees themselves, who did much better when they were alone. Now they go from nonsense to nonsense with the aggravating factor that they can see the plays on a screen.
The replays have driven them completely crazy. All of them. Those who are on the pitch, those who are in front of the screen and those who are in charge of drawing up a protocol that even they do not understand.
Neither my 95-year-old uncle Joaquin, who has not missed a Real Madrid match since the post-war period, nor anyone who appreciates this sport deserves to see what is happening in Spain with the refereeing.
In La Ceramica, the refereeing short-circuited with two calls between 68′ and 71′. Three minutes of terror in which two surreal penalties were given for two unintentional hands that had no bearing on the game or the final result.
First it was Juan Foyth who was punished, after brushing with his hand a ball that was going to Vinicius and even helped him to control the ball.
The festival continued in the 71st minute, this time in the other area. David Alaba slipped and touched the ball with his hand, although the replay clearly shows that he did everything he could to not touch it.
A penalty, this time without the help of the VAR. Soto Grado saw it clearly, ignoring the basic codes of football, a game that it is clear that many referees do not understand. Then, prisoners of fear, the VAR did not tell the referee a punch from Dani Parejo on Antonio Rudiger that was clearly a red card.
The game ended 2-1 to Villarreal the terrible penalties were scored.
Setien vindicates himself
Villarreal put in an outstanding performance, mixing all aspects and systems of the game to perfection. There was no sterile possession play.
The doubts of the beginning after Unai Emery’s departure have disappeared and there is no doubt that the team from Castellon has taken advantage of the World Cup break very well.
What a great game from Moreno
A highlight was the great performance of Gerard Moreno, a player battered by injuries and who missed what was going to be his World Cup.
The Villarreal striker played an extraordinary game, being the Benzema of Villarreal. He crowned his performance with a penalty goal that gave his team the victory.
Let the cup have the same spectacle
Three hours before the match, the Copa del Rey draw drew Real Madrid and Villarreal together in a duel that will be played at La Ceramica on January 18 or 19.
Hopefully the same spectacle will be repeated, because the two teams played one of the most entertaining matches in LaLiga Santander in a long time.
LaLiga Santander title rivals will have to sweat it out
Barcelona now have the chance to take the lead, provided they win at the Wanda Metropolitano. It is clear that both Real Madrid and Barcelona will have to sweat it out to win the title and that both teams will drop more points than expected.
A great team with ‘buts’
Real Madrid has a great team, but with two positions that could be improved. Eder Militao played at right back because Dani Carvajal is injured and because Lucas Vazquez is clearly an emergency option.
And on the left was Ferland Mendy, who has been going from strength to strength since his arrival but who gave away the first goal with a loose pass. Clearly, these are two positions that could be improved.
