"Real Madrid's second penalty was a disgrace," De Zerbi said. "It wasn't a penalty and never will be. I would say the same even if it benefited my team."
On 16/9, Marseille nearly earned a point in their Champions League opener at the Bernabeu. De Zerbi's side opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Mason Greenwood set up Timothy Weah inside the box. However, Real Madrid came back to win with two penalties from Kylian Mbappe.
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Mbappe (center) celebrates the decisive goal in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Marseille on 16/9. Photo: AFP |
Mbappe (center) celebrates the decisive goal in Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Marseille on 16/9. Photo: AFP
Referee Irfan Peljto awarded the first penalty when Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo in the 27th minute. He awarded the second in the 79th minute when Facundo Medina's hand touched the ball in the penalty area. Medina made a clean tackle on Vinicius but the ball brushed his hand as he fell to the ground.
Between the two penalties, Peljto sent off Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal. Carvajal received a red card for a headbutt on goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli during a heated exchange in the 72nd minute.
"When I say the second penalty was a disgrace, I'm not implying it was compensation for Real Madrid after Carvajal's dismissal," De Zerbi added.
The Marseille coach also disagreed with Carvajal's red card. He believed the Real Madrid captain only leaned his head in and didn't actually make contact. "I don't consider that violent," De Zerbi added. "When someone leans their head in without making contact, I wouldn't give a red card."
Former Spanish referee Perez Burull disagreed with Peljto's decision on Real Madrid's second penalty. He argued that Medina's fall was natural and not a handball. "The player fell to the ground, and his hand wasn't intentionally moving towards the ball," Burull told Radio Marca.
Regarding Carvajal's red card, the former referee admitted the headbutt wasn't forceful but should be considered a foul off the ball. Therefore, he confirmed the red card was justified. "You can be angry, but you can't act like that," Burull added.
Thanh Quy (according to Marca, MD)
