Atlético de Madrid has a very important commitment tonight against Getafe, but Real Madrid is starting to prepare the ground for the next Madrid classic. The white team issued a statement last night pointing to the CTA and accusing the referees of intentionally harming them. Obviously, all these actions are aimed at pressuring a refereeing that could be decisive for the league title.
For now, the designation for that match is already known, although the colchonero team must first solve the Copa del Rey tie. They will host the team led by José Bordalás, a always tough opponent that makes things very difficult on the field. Simeone recovers two players compared to the last victory against Real Mallorca while Getafe arrives in very low spirits in their squad.
Real Madrid goes on the attack
Since they were defeated by Espanyol everything pointed to the fact that at Santiago Bernabéu they were going to start moving the machinery for the classic. Beyond the usual complaints from the media, in Concha Espina they have started to publicly point and pressure the referees. In a statement issued yesterday, where they ask for the VAR audios to be published, they talk about an "intentionality" on the part of the referees when making their decisions.
This way, Madridists accuse the CTA of provoking, in a premeditated manner, their team to lose and not be able to win any of the titles. Nothing could be further from the truth, as there have been many controversies that have benefited Real Madrid in recent weeks, something that didn't have the same impact. For now, the one in charge of directing this decisive match will be a Soto Grado who significantly harmed Atlético de Madrid two years ago.
A very dangerous classic
Specifically, it was in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey where that referee didn't expel Dani Ceballos when the rojiblancos were still ahead. He also didn't caution any of the white players despite the aggressiveness they showed throughout the match with the colchoneros. That tie would be solved in extra time with a victory for Carlo Ancelotti's team amid the complicit silence of the media.
This season, in fact, there have already been numerous controversies that have benefited Real Madrid, such as the clash against Celta de Vigo at Santiago Bernabéu. The referee didn't call a clear penalty by Lunin, disallowed a goal for offside that wasn't, and didn't expel Endrick after a horrific studs-up tackle. All of this came to nothing and there were no statements from the club that has been up in arms for more than 48 hours to influence the match.