Kylian Mbappé found his way back to goal on Saturday evening against Girona, just as Real Madrid found victory after a defeat against Athletic in midweek. A success that the Merengues needed, and which also allows them to come within two points of FC Barcelona in the La Liga standings, with one game less than the Catalans. However, the Madrid media are not yet completely convinced by the performance of the Bondynois, clearly in the shadow of his teammate Jude Bellingham…
A meeting on Catalan soil during which Kylian Mbappé was also at the origin of a controversial action… Indeed, just before the break, when he had already received a yellow card previously, the former PSG controlled the ball with his hand before going to challenge the opposing goalkeeper. An action which, according to many, would have deserved a second yellow and therefore an expulsion. Jesús Gil Manzano, however, did not take out a card on the action, considering that the Frenchman’s hand was not intentional.
The Catalans are angry
Enough to ignite the Spanish media and social networks, where some denounce preferential treatment. The Catalan press has also published numerous articles on this subject. Sport points out for example that Mallorca player Antonio Raíllo was sent off for a similar action against Celta. A survey published on the website Mundo Deportivo reveals that 78% of voters believe that KM9 should have been sent back to the locker room. Even in the Madrid media, we trembled. “Mbappé played with fire with this reckless action”relays A.S..
“Four years ago, it was yellow, but the rule has changed”however explained former Liga referee Eduardo Iturralde González on the Cadena SER. Antonio Mateu Lahoz, another former referee, was a little more nuanced, on the Cadena COPE.“I am more of the opinion not to give a second yellow. When there is harm to the rival, it is yellow. In this type of action, it would be yellow to deceive the referee by scoring a goal with the hand for example”he said, explaining that Mbappé did not give the impression of trying to deceive the referee and that it was ultimately a fairly harmless action. What to calm the Catalans? Not sure…
