Madrid, Oct 27 (IANS) Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti complained bitterly about referee Undiano Mallenco after his side lost to FC Barcelona 1-2 in the all important ‘El Clasico’ at the Camp Nou Stadium.
Goals from Neymar and Alexis Sanchez had put Barca 2-0 ahead before youngster Jese Rodriguez netted a late consolation for Madrid, but Real Madrid complained about two possible penalty decisions, especially in the second half when Javier Mascherano looked to have pushed Cristiano Ronaldo in the back with the score still 1-0, reports Xinhua.
“I think it was a clear penalty. Everyone saw it except the referee,” said Ancelotti, who also believed Madrid could have had another penalty after the ball rebounded off Victor Valdes and hit Barca defender Adriano on the arm while he was on the floor.
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“That was a difficult decision, if he gives a penalty he will have to have given a card as well,” he said, with the implication that Adriano would have been sent off as he already had a yellow card prior to the incident.
Ancelotti was also asked about his decision to play Sergio Ramos in midfield and play without a specialised striker, leaving Gareth Bale and Ronaldo in attack.
“I wanted Ramos to give balance in the middle as Illaramendi had a muscle strain after playing Juventus in midweek,” he said, while adding that Bale was still in his first games for the club.
“He played well, but he needs to be able to combine more. It doesn’t matter if he plays on the wing or in the middle, I wanted to pressure Sergio Busquets and look for space on the wing,” said Ancelotti.
