CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Rüdiger should have been sent off - Real Madrid Champions League referee analysis
“He pulls off something like a judo move without the ball; it’s not a VAR-worthy red card, but it should’ve been a second yellow,” says AS referee analyst Iturralde González.
Rüdiger should have been sent off—not for a straight red, but for a second yellow. That’s the conclusion of AS’s referee analyst, Iturralde González, regarding the controversy in Real Madrid’s defeat to Lille in tonight’s Champions League match.
Rüdiger received a yellow for a foul in midfield, and, already on a booking, brought down Alexandro off the ball. “Rüdiger grabs him by the left arm and does something resembling a judo throw... he should’ve been sent off. It wasn’t enough for VAR to intervene and give a straight red, but it was definitely a second yellow,” Iturralde explained. “It was a moment of madness,” added Dani Garrido. “He’s got a bit of Pepe in him,” concluded Alfredo Relaño, honorary president of this newspaper. In summary: the Madrid defender escaped what should have been a second yellow card.
Camavinga’s handball penalty
“Clear as day, a penalty. His arm’s up, and the shot is on target. Take note of something Álvaro Benito often points out: ‘Why do players turn away?’ If Camavinga stays facing the ball, watching it... it doesn’t hit his hand!” Iturralde summed it up, calling this play a textbook example of where VAR should step in. It was clear and undeniable. Camavinga raised his arm higher than necessary and blocked a shot headed for goal. Whether intentional or not doesn’t matter. Great call from VAR and the referee.
Nothing in the Militao incident
No foul, no penalty from Militao. Both actions were perfectly legal. That’s the conclusion regarding the game’s first contentious moment. “In the first play, he uses his body really well and is just stronger. That’s football. And the second one... meh. Look closely. The forward is the one who sticks his leg into the goalkeeper, which is why he gets hurt. Jonathan David himself leaves his leg out there. But it’s nothing.” Play on.
The incident happened in the 35th minute with the score still tied at 0-0. A ball was played behind the defense, and Lille forward Jonathan David sprinted to get on the end of it. As he approached the box, he collided with Militao and went down. For Iturralde, there wasn’t enough there to call a foul (and even if something had been called, it would’ve been outside the box). The play continued, and when Militao saw Zhegrova had a chance to reach the ball before Lunin, he stepped in and used his body to shield him, resulting in a fall inside the box. Not enough contact either. “That’s just football,” says our resident ref. Nothing to see here.