Sevilla holds Real Madrid while Ancelotti yells
SEVILLE,
Spain, October 21 - On Saturday, Real Madrid clawed back after a David Alaba
own goal gave Sevilla the lead to secure a 1-1 draw against Sevilla thanks to a
late header from the team's captain.
Real has amassed 25
points after 10 games, three more than season's biggest surprise, Girona, who
will play host to the bottom team Almeria on Sunday. On Sunday, Barcelona,
which has 21 points, plays Athletic Bilbao.
In a disputed match
in Seville, Real's frantic efforts were hindered by two early goals that were
disallowed due to controversial officiating calls.
In the first half,
Real's players and manager Carlo Ancelotti complained to the referee numerous
times. He rejected Real's accusations that Jesus Navas fouled Vinicius Jr. in
the penalty area and disallowed an early Federico Valverde goal for offside in
the build-up. He also claimed that he had stopped play before Jude Bellingham
scored.
Ivan Rakitic's shot
was blocked by Carvajal's goal-line clearance as Sevilla started to regain
control of the game.The defender Sergio Ramos made a critical goalline
clearance of his own to help Sevilla keep the game level before halftime as he
faced the team where he first made his name for the first time since returning
to his hometown team.
Goalkeepers made
all the saves in the second half to keep their respective teams in the game,
including Kepa Arrizabalaga and Orjan Nyland.
Early on, Real's
Kepa palmed a magnificent Ivan Rakitic long-range shot around the post, while
Sevilla's Nyland produced a brilliant reflex save to stop a Rodrygo point-blank
shot.However, Real fell behind after defender Alaba's own goal in the 74th
minute, when he tripped over forward Youssef En Nesyri.
A spectacular close-range header from Carvajal
off of a Toni Kroos cross, however, brought the score back to even four minutes
later.
Five cautions were
issued in the last minutes of the game after a few altercations as the tension
in the game rose.
Ancelotti, who
received a yellow card for whining, appeared to be upset.
After claiming at
his press conference that the referee "was right in every decision,"
the Italian acknowledged he was attempting to avoid a suspension.
Comedy is the only
option. Ancelotti said on Real Madrid TV, "I won't express what I actually
believe (about the refereeing), because I'll lose a lot of games (of
suspension).
I chose not to
express my opinions in order to avoid being suspended because it is what I
enjoy doing the most—watching Real Madrid play. So I employ irony.
"It was a
tough encounter that was competitive. We got off to a good start, scoring two
goals that were ruled out. Due to our reduced intensity in the second half,
everything evened out.