Real Madrid v Ajax: Should Jose Mourinho be forgiven for manoeuvring sending off of Alonso and Ramos?
The true nature of the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was exposed last night in Real Madrid’s away encounter with Ajax FC in the UEFA Champions League. Madrid, who had already achieved qualification into the round of 16, beat Ajax
by 4-0.
Two of Jose Mourinho’s players were shown their second yellow cards of the evening by the referee and were consequently sent off. It seemed that both Madrid players, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, intentionally committed bookable
offenses to get themselves suspended for the next game of the competition. Pundits believe that Mourinho instructed Alonso and Ramos, who were already on a yellow card, to get themselves another booking, so that they would serve a ban in an insignificant group-stage
tie rather than a Champions League knock out match.
Real Madrid put on an impressive performance and comprehensively defeated the Dutch outfit; Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace, while Karim Benzema and Alvaro Arbeloa also got their names on the score sheet.
However, the talking point of the match was not Madrid’s emphatic away victory, but the two red cards shown to Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos.
Real were already 4-0 up when the sending offs took place, in the 87th and 91st
minute respectively. Strange as it may sound, both Spanish players earned their 2nd bookings of the night, for deliberately wasting time.
Alonso was the first to go, when he stood over a free-kick inside his own half, and delayed his pass, too much for the referee’s liking. It was a ludicrous sight to watch as the midfielder went back and forth a few times before
kicking the ball, unsure of where he wanted to put the pass.
The Scottish referee was left with no option but to book Real’s no. 14, which was his 2nd yellow of the night. Xabi had earlier been cautioned in the 68th minute for a foul on Luis Suarez.
If Alonso’s way of getting into the book seemed erratic, Sergio Ramos’ actions were even more peculiar. Surprisingly enough, in the 91st minute of the game, Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas revealed his inability to take
the goal-kick and Ramos took over the duties. However, the Spanish international showed no real intention of taking the kick. Ramos first slowly walked towards the ball, then stopped and adjusted his shin-pads and socks. Then again in an Alonso-like fashion,
Sergio delayed his kick, while acting to spot a fellow player.
It seemed that the right-back was waiting for the official to show him his 2nd
yellow card of the night, and as expected the referee obliged.
Mourinho’s fans may feel that the Portuguese’s unsporting behaviour is justified as long as he keeps winning, while others regard his actions as a disgrace to the beautiful game.
Tags: