Another clash of the Spanish giants was marred by controversies as the El Clasico was judged on the mistakes of the referee. PHOTO: AFP
“There were a lot of mistakes for just one game,” said Ronaldo. “A match between Real and Barca ought to have a high level of referee.
“You can’t make correct decisions when you are nervous. It makes me think that it is not just on the field that you win games, a little help from outside helps too.“My penalty might have been just outside the area, but there are many things that went on. It is difficult when many people didn’t want us to win today.”
Mallenco awarded three penalties on the night with Ronaldo scoring the first one for Madrid to put them 3-2 up 10 minutes after half-time.
However, Sergio Ramos was then sent-off for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity for a foul on Neymar inside the area before Xabi Alonso was adjudged to have tripped Andres Iniesta seven minutes from time.
Lionel Messi converted both spot-kicks to complete a hat-trick after cancelling out Karim Benzema’s double at the end of the first-half to become the all-time leading scorer in games between the two sides.
‘It’s difficult to control game with one less player’
Real’s coach Carlo Ancelotti was more level-headed about Mallenco’s decisions than Ronaldo, but agreed that Ramos’ red card swung the game in Barca’s favour.
“I haven’t seen it again and it is difficult for me to comment on the decisions of the referee because there were many,” said Ancelotti.
“However, it was the key moment. We were winning 3-2 and controlling the game well, but it is much more difficult to control the game with a player less.”Defeat leaves Madrid still joint top of the table on 70 points alongside Atletico Madrid, but in second place due to their inferior head-to-head against their local rivals with Barca a point further back in third.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2014.
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