Mbappé Controversy: Season’s First Incident
- Osasuna coach Alessio Lisci voiced strong dissatisfaction following his team's defeat against Real Madrid, centering his criticism on what he perceived as incorrect officiating.
- "I thought it was a clear penalty, but looking at it, you have to analyze if Mbappé first walked on Juan or if Juan hit Mbappé with the...
- Eyewitness accounts and replays appear to show mbappé stepping on Cruz's foot during the play, with subsequent contact from Cruz's leg.
Controversial Calls Mar Osasuna’s Loss to Real Madrid, Lisci Calls for VAR Intervention
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Frustration Mounts Over Refereeing Decisions
Osasuna coach Alessio Lisci voiced strong dissatisfaction following his team’s defeat against Real Madrid, centering his criticism on what he perceived as incorrect officiating. Lisci specifically questioned the decision to award a penalty to real Madrid’s Juan Cruz, arguing that the play should have been reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). He believes the incident, involving a collision with kylian Mbappé, was misinterpreted.
“I thought it was a clear penalty, but looking at it, you have to analyze if Mbappé first walked on Juan or if Juan hit Mbappé with the right foot. It seems to me that Mbappé first hung Juan. There is no penalty,” Lisci stated to Diario As.
Eyewitness accounts and replays appear to show mbappé stepping on Cruz’s foot during the play, with subsequent contact from Cruz’s leg. The club’s official social media channels also signaled their disagreement with the call immediately after the match. Adding to the frustration, Osasuna also protested the late red card issued to Abel Bretones.
Defensive Solidity Undermined by Single Counterattack
Despite a strong defensive showing, lisci lamented that Osasuna conceded the decisive goal on what he described as Real Madrid’s only counterattack of the match. He emphasized the team’s ability to limit Real Madrid’s offensive opportunities for the vast majority of the game.
“Yes. It was the only counterattack.It’s a shame, but ninety minutes without taking a counter, it’s difficult,” Lisci explained. “We corrected our positioning at halftime, and in the second half, we started well. It’s a shame the transition occurred at that moment. But facing Real Madrid,it’s difficult to prevent them from creating chances,and today they created very few.”
Lisci highlighted the team’s improved performance after the break, noting their success in preventing Real Madrid from establishing attacking momentum. “The team progressed after the break. The goal came from a transition,not a defensive movement. We were very good in transition, they almost never had the chance to create spaces.”
Looking Ahead to Valencia
Lisci stressed the need for adaptation and a diffrent atmosphere as Osasuna prepares to host Valencia at El Sadar on sunday. He anticipates a more favorable habitat for his team at home.