Villarreal Robbed?! Ref Claims Shocking Decisions in Spurs Clash!
Villarreal are fuming after their Champions League clash against Tottenham Hotspur in London, citing several controversial decisions by Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic. Despite clear opportunities for red cards, Tottenham finished the match with a full complement of players, leaving the Villarreal manager, Marcelino García Toral, seething.
Key Incidents Spark Outrage
The first contentious moment occurred in the 65th minute when Xavi Simons, already on a yellow card for a stamp on Mouriño, committed a reckless challenge on Pépé, halting a Villarreal counter-attack. Many expected a second yellow and subsequent dismissal, but Obrenovic only awarded a free kick. Marcelino's protests from the touchline earned him a yellow card instead.
However, the most blatant incident came in the 84th minute. A precise pass from Moleiro found Mikautadze in a promising position, outpacing the Tottenham centre-backs. Van de Van intervened, drawing comparisons to a recent red card incident involving Huijsen. This time, however, the other defender was too far back to effectively cover Mikautadze, whose proximity to goal made the situation far more dangerous.
No Red Card?!
Despite the clear goal-scoring opportunity, Obrenovic only awarded a free kick and a yellow card, further infuriating Villarreal. Marcelino didn't mince words after the match, stating, "Everyone saw the two reds."
Spurs Snatch Victory
Adding insult to injury, Tottenham secured a narrow 1-0 victory, marking their first Champions League win in three years. The result left Marcelino frustrated but proud of his team's performance. "The defeat isn't fair, but football is about goals," he conceded, acknowledging Tottenham's clinical edge.
Real Madrid also secured a win, defeating Olympique de Marseille 2-1, with a brace from Kylian Mbappé.
Marcelino Praises Team Spirit
Despite the controversial decisions and the disappointing result, Marcelino praised his team's competitive spirit and performance. "I am proud of how we competed. We had our chances, but the quality of the opponents also makes you have more or less dominance. The only thing that bothers me is the result, because we had the clearest chances."