Kylian Mbappé came close to disaster during the match between Espanyol Barcelona and Real Madrid. The French striker was the victim of an exceptionally violent tackle by Romero, and his season was almost turned upside down. Carlo Ancelotti was furious and protested loudly on the pitch.
Real Madrid are entering a decisive period. Between the Copa del Rey, the derby against Atlético Madrid and the long-awaited Champions League clash with Manchester City, every game will count double. Ancelotti knows that his men must respond physically and mentally. But to see his star striker threatened by such brutal interventions has the Italian coach beside himself.
The intensity was there from the kick-off. Espanyol, with their survival in La Liga at stake, did not hesitate to get tough. But it was in the second half that everything almost came to a head. From a quick Real counter-attack, Romero pounced on Mbappé with unprecedented aggression. The impact sent the Frenchman to the ground and provoked a wave of indignation on the Madrid bench. Ancelotti was furious and leapt to his feet to demand an expulsion.
Ancelotti explodes with anger
‘It’s red! I don’t understand,’ shouted the Italian coach at the fourth referee, according to the Spanish press. His indignation was shared by the whole team, who were convinced that this gesture deserved an exemplary punishment. But to everyone’s astonishment, referee Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz opted for a simple yellow card, causing an uproar in the Madrid ranks.
This match, already tense, had already cost Real Madrid dearly. Before the Mbappé-Romero incident, Antonio Rüdiger was forced off the pitch with a biceps femoris injury. It was an injury that worried Ancelotti, who was deprived of one of his defensive pillars just a few days before some crucial fixtures. Fortunately for Real Madrid, Mbappé was able to return to action after a few minutes on the ground. It was an unexpected outcome given the violence of the clash. However, the Frenchman did not prevent Real Madrid from going down 1-0 after the same Roméro, who should have been sent off, scored.
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