“They can sanction us” – Real Madrid stalwart addresses penalty controversy | OneFootball

On Saturday, Real Madrid failed to return to winning ways in La Liga after they played out a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. The defending champions had to come from behind to secure a point, but it was still an unsatisfying result for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

That stance was made clear by Lucas Vazquez, who was captain for the Madrid derby. He spoke on his side’s performance during a post-match interview with Real Madrid TV (via Relevo).

“The draw is not enough for us. The team has planned a game in which the opponent takes the lead without having done anything, and after that the team changes its face, continues to attack and after the break we came out very switched on, then the equaliser came… We had chances to make it 2-1, but the goal didn’t come.

“We pushed a lot in the second half. Making plays with patience, good arrivals to the area… but we lacked some luck. The positive side is that we are still leaders, which is where we want and should be and where we are going to fight to continue until the end.”

Lucas Vazquez speaking to the media post-match (Photo by Teledeporte)

Lucas was later asked in the mixed zone after the penalty that went Atleti’s way in the first half. RMTV furiously criticised the decision made by on-field referee Cesar Soto Grado and the VAR team, but the veteran defender opted to take a similar approach to that of Ancelotti.

“Well… We can’t talk much about the referees either, because they can sanction us. And it’s not worth it. We prefer not to talk.”

It is another stumble for Real Madrid in this far-from-straightforward season, and they do not have much momentum going into next week’s crucial Champions League play-off round first leg against Manchester City. However, it would be foolish not to expect Los Blancos to be firing on all cylinders soon.