Ancelotti Lashes Out at Referee and VAR After Real Madrid's Defeat

The 65-year-old Carlo Ancelotti expressed frustration with the referee and VAR decisions when Real Madrid faced Espanyol. The coach believed Carlos Romero should have received a red card before breaking into Real Madrid's goal.

Real Madrid visited Espanyol’s headquarters in the 22nd week of La Liga on Sunday, 02nd February. Los Blancos lost 1-0 in the duel played at RCDE Stadium. The Visitors dominated the match, registering 21 shots and controlling 76% of possession. However, in the 85th minute, Carlos Romero breached Thibaut Courtois’ goal following a counter-attack.

Before the goal, in the 61st minute, a foul occurred. Kylian Mbappé, dribbling the ball toward the goal, suffered a foul from Romero, who tackled him from behind. The Italian coach Ancelotti felt the referee should have handed out a red card.

Referee Alejandro Muniz officiated the Espanyol against Real Madrid clash. Ancelotti strongly disagreed with Muniz’s and VAR’s decisions regarding the foul on Mbappé. He felt the referee failed to protect the player.

"The decisions made by the referee and VAR are inexplicable," Ancelotti said, as quoted from the club's official website. "The most important thing is to protect the player, and it was a clear foul—a very bad tackle with the risk of injury. Fortunately, nothing happened, but there was a risk."

"VAR is also there for this. We think the decision not to show a red card is inexplicable," added the veteran coach.

The current table toppers had several chances to score. Los Blancos dominated and created many opportunities. In fact, in the first half, the referee disallowed a goal by Vinicius Junior due to a prior violation.

"We did some things well, had good control, especially in the second half," said Ancelotti. "Our side had a goal disallowed, hit the post, and had 20 shots on goal. The game was under control, but Espanyol, who played very well on the counter-attack, surprised us and scored," Ancelotti added.