Real Madrid could not believe that the action between Vitor Reis and Kylian Mbappe in the final stages of the match against Girona was not even signalled as a penalty by Alberola Rojas, nor even denounced by the VAR.

The reaction did not leave much room for speculation. “It’s a penalty here and on the moon,” said Alvaro Arbeloa in the press room after the draw, which practically leaves Real Madrid without options for the title. “Once again, ‘Negreira’ refereeing,” commented Real Madrid TV.

“It’s just another one,” added the Real Madrid coach. “Another week. It’s what we have and it’s what we have. I don’t understand it, neither does anyone else. When does the VAR come in? It comes in when it’s convenient and when it’s not, it doesn’t come in. You know my opinion. The facts keep it that way. It’s a very clear action. They called Kylian for a foul that was less than the penalty. We’ve had a lot with the referees. With this one, in Mallorca… the same old story“.

The truth is that it never rains but it pours when it comes to Madrid and refereeing. The club is still trying to lead a movement to totally renew the refereeing establishment, as they consider that the latest changes, such as the arrival of Fran Soto as head of the CTA, are more cosmetic than real. Actions such as Friday’s with Mbappe are added to another possible penalty for a handball by a Mallorca player in the first minutes of the match at Son Moix (which ended in a 2-1 defeat), or decisions such as the red card revoked to Barcelona in their LaLiga match against Atletico last weekend.

The dressing room is the first to know that it must give more in matches like those at Son Moix or this Friday, but it also considers that there are many occasions in which refereeing decisions systematically go against them. This feeling is widespread in Valdebebas when it comes to Spanish competitions, as they do not have the same opinion of the refereeing in the Champions League, where there may be mistakes, but they are not considered biased.

With La Liga practically lost, the Madrid players are already looking to Munich (in fact, they have been doing so since the end of the first leg), forcing themselves to believe in a victory that would be historic for the club, which has never come from behind in a European Cup tie after losing the first leg at home. The end of the match against Girona, very cold on the part of the players and the crowd, did not activate that connection that many expected ahead of the trip to Germany. Despite this, the dressing room believes, or wants to believe, with the conviction that the refereeing ecosystem in Europe is very different from that of Spanish competitions.