A huge ban potentially awaits Real Madrid’s Mastantuono

Mastantuono was sent off for saying something to the referee. And that was the final image of a night that will take time to forget in Chamartín.

A night in which Madrid stepped off the title race. And one in which they were left without three players for Vigo: Huijsen, suspended for a fifth yellow card; Carreras, also for a fifth yellow; and Mastantuono, for a red card. In his case, for addressing the referee in a disrespectful manner. But the nuance between one expression and another is decisive. We have to wait for the official report to know the details. However, he could face a suspension that goes beyond a single match. Alarm bells are ringing.

How many games will Mastantuono be suspended for?

It all happened in the 95th minute, virtually the last of the game. A Getafe move in the opposition half and a foul given by Muñiz Ruiz. In general terms, the atmosphere had already shifted to acceptance. It was not at boiling point. However, Mastantuono went too far. He approached the referee and saw a straight red card. A few words that will keep him out of Balaídos this Friday. And possibly longer. Because while heading down the tunnel, he also said something to the fourth official. The match report will be key. It will be known tonight.

Mastantuono had been on the pitch for 25 minutes, including stoppage time. He had come on for Güler in the second half, barely making an impression. There was no spark down the wing, no penetration in the final third. In fact, he managed just one shot, and it came on the edge of stoppage time, a fairly tame effort straight into David Soria’s gloves. It was hardly a statement performance, precisely when he needs the opposite. He needs to make himself heard, to knock the door down. Instead, nothing.

The reality is that, far from growing, he is fading. He has played only 48 minutes across the last six matches. In three of them he did not feature at all, against Real Sociedad, Benfica and Osasuna, all consecutively, while before that he had played just nine minutes against Valencia. From there came 14 minutes in the second match against Benfica and the 25 minutes tonight. He is drifting further and further away from the starting eleven. And now his red card pushes him even further away.

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