Barcelona “unsurprised” as Real Madrid defender Nacho has suspension cut to play in El Clásico

There was an inevitable feeling of resignation at Barcelona as the Spanish Soccer Federation’s (RFEF) appeals committee reduced Real Madrid defender Nacho’s three-match suspension to two games, which will enable him to play in El Clásico at Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys in Montjuïc on 28 October. “These things are no longer surprising,” a Barça spokesperson told AS following the revelation of the news.

Los Blancos appeal ban for reckless challenge on Girona’s Portu

Nacho was shown a straight red card in Los Blancos’ 3-0 win away to Girona on 30 September for an ugly lunge on opposition player Portu, who was forced to leave the field on a stretcher and went straight to hospital. Fortunately for everyone concerned, the injury was much less serious than was initially feared, with the winger ultimately able to take up a place on the bench in the Catalans’ next LaLiga fixture at Cádiz.

However, that doesn’t take away from the fact Nacho’s challenge was a dangerous one, hence the initial three-game ban handed down by the RFEF’s competition committee. But Madrid’s appeal against the sanction has been partially successful, with the defender’s suspension cut by one match (Los Merengues had tried to have it reduced by two). As a result, Nacho will be available for El Clásico, which comes a week after Carlo Ancelotti’s team are away to Sevilla.

Nacho boost for Carlo Ancelotti

News of 33-year-old’s availability will come as a huge boost to the Italian, who has been short of options in central defence of late. Eder Militão is a long-term injury absentee, while David Alaba may be lacking match sharpness after recent thigh problem. Antonio Rüdiger, meanwhile, is just one booking away from incurring a one-match ban, meaning he’ll have to be on his best behaviour in Seville.

Barça unhappy with refereeing decisions

The feeling within the Barcelona camp is that this is just another in a series of decisions that have gone Real Madrid’s way since the start of the season, with La Blaugrana already unhappy at a number of refereeing calls they feel have gone against them and in favour of their arch rivals.