I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 845: Chapter 75: It’s Not Over! (2)

After this match, the tension between the two teams grew more intense.

"1-1, the unfair red card against Pepe determined the result of the national derby," read the headline on the Real Madrid Club’s official website after the match.

The website stated that the German referee Stark once again harmed Real Madrid’s interests by sending off Pepe, changing the course of the match, and possibly altering the future champion’s name.

After the match, Real Madrid players also expressed that Pepe’s sending off changed the situation. Real Madrid’s midfield core, Alonso, lamented after the game: "I feel very uncomfortable. Pepe’s dismissal completely changed the game because before that, the match was running on our predetermined track. Then, the game was greatly restricted. At that time, Pepe was contending equally with the opponent. He did use the bottom of his foot but should not have been shown a red card. Pepe’s dismissal restricted our game a lot, and the knockout stage was already very difficult. We will head to Camp Nou with professionalism, but in all, things are not easy. We prepared for such an important game for a season, yet encountered such a situation. Perhaps my view is a bit biased, but it definitely should not have been a red card."

Alonso also admitted that morale in the Real Madrid dressing room was down, "but as time goes on, we must rally and prepare for the second leg with the same serious attitude. The situation is difficult, but football is full of surprises."

Compared to Alonso, Real Madrid defender Ramos has a much more fiery temper. After the match, the Sevilla player stated he was "extremely furious" about the referee’s decision to send off Pepe, "It was the referee who changed the result of the match. Before Pepe’s ejection, our tactical strategy was very correct." Ramos also warned Barcelona not to get too happy too soon: "There’s no need to congratulate anyone right now. The situation is very difficult, we are hurt, and have been played like fools, but if there’s anything for the Real Madrid Club to be proud of, it’s the ability to overcome such adversity."

Ramos expressed his dissatisfaction with the Barcelona players’ diving: "This theatrical performance must end, and I hope the authorities take some decisive action because this behavior taints the sport’s image and pollutes the eyes of the fans who come to watch. Real Madrid fans and we are all heartbroken by what happened on the pitch.

But in the next leg, Ramos will be unable to help the team due to suspension, "It’s a pity not to participate in the second leg, but we have a strong squad, and my teammates are full of fighting spirit. I hope they can play a good game." Finally, Ramos once again expressed his dissatisfaction with the German referee Stark: "Everyone has their conclusions, but Alves didn’t get a yellow card until his sixth foul, while I, Ramos, got a card the first time I fouled."

Albiol stated: "Pepe being sent off was unfair, but we have to look forward. We had scoring opportunities in the 1-1 draw, but we couldn’t finish the match with 11 men, which greatly hurt the team."

Barcelona’s godfather, Cruyff, once predicted that Pepe would eventually be sent off with a red card, and before the Champions League semi-final, Guardiola also teasingly said: "We will play 11 against Real Madrid, but we don’t know if Real Madrid will end up with only 10 men."

As a result, the predictions of Cruyff and Guardiola came true.

In this season’s four national derbies, Real Madrid had players sent off in two of them; in the second half, it was Albiol who was sent off, and in the Champions Cup, Pepe couldn’t last until the end of the match.

In the 60th minute of the match, the German referee Stark sent off Pepe while he was defending Alves dangerously in his half, resulting in a red card and forcing Real Madrid to play with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

After Pepe, the "anti-Messi" element left the game, the Argentine genius found his scoring touch.

In the next match at Camp Nou, Pepe will be unable to participate, which will pose great difficulties for Real Madrid’s tactical system.

Meanwhile, Mourinho was also sent off for protesting to the fourth official and clapping towards the referee. He could only direct the match by writing from the stands near the pitch.

In the next match at Camp Nou, Mourinho will also be unable to command from the sidelines. However, this is a common occurrence for Mourinho, and his team’s performance does not seem affected when he is unable to direct.

Besides Pepe and Mourinho, Ramos, who played as a center-back this match, will also be suspended for the next away game due to receiving a yellow card in this match.

Ramos received a yellow card in the 53rd minute for fouling Messi.

Ramos’s suspension will affect Real Madrid’s defense line to a certain extent,

but his role can be filled, as Cavaleiro will be available for the Camp Nou match, and Alvaro playing on the right side is not an issue.

On the Barcelona side, substitute goalkeeper Pinto was also shown a red card for a conflict with Real Madrid players during halftime, but his suspension has little impact on Barcelona.

However, Barcelona is not guaranteed a win, as Chen Zhong can still play for Real Madrid, and Real Madrid has not lost a national derby with Chen Zhong in play.

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