Real Madrid enjoyed a nearly perfect night on Wednesday against Napoli, winning 4-2 and securing top spot in their Champions League group. An imperious Jude Bellingham led the way, followed by an excellent Rodrygo Goes and debutant Nico Paz. Carlo Ancelotti was not delighted with his side’s defending, and it could have gotten them into more trouble had VAR intervened against Antonio Rudiger.
The German defender has a reputation for a physical approach, but as he cleared a ball in the second half, Rudiger followed through on Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski. The Polish midfielder was replaced with an injury by Eljif Elmas shortly after, meanwhile the referee did not see fit to punish the challenge which saw Rudiger’s studs connect with Zielinski on his upper thigh.
Refereeing expert Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez told Diario AS that in his view, Rudiger was lucky.
“For me it is red. It is a play that a player can explain to you better than a referee. Rudiger clears and leaves his leg up because he knows he is going to hit the opponent. With the clearance, he camouflages the serious rough play.”
It would have been no great disaster had Rudiger missed their final Champions League group game against Union Berlin, although it would have deprived him of a trip to his home city. Yet had Rudiger been sent off for a straight red, it would have exposed him to a longer ban, and a potential suspension carrying over to Round of 16.
nutcepty
511
AF trying to heal Barcelona fan pain for our win by posting this rubbish image what of Mendy . we fight for win and we won , they'll give chance to some senseless fan will be saying Real Madrid and reff are 5/6
Femzy1991
482
Some Barcelona dogs are here to say it was a red card...Lol, You are now Napoli fans because they played against Madrid. Did you fools even see the match at all ? Rudiger kick out the ball and u can't tell me he has to hang his leg on her after kicking the ball. Stupid dogs. Real Madrid would keep on tormenting you Brokelona fans to your graves.
olalaymon
430
UEFA and Real Madrid are 5 & 6 when you know this you have peace
ManjitPaul
157
so was mendy's foul real madrid should have been awarded a penalty but they were robbed but we didn't complain because referring decisions are never in our hand but playing good is what real madrid always does we hardly complain because in the last 3 or 2 years referre tries to be strict with big clubs almost all the time so at this point of time people should realize that referring is worse in europe no use complaining also