Real Madrid’s Locker Room Reacts to Simeone’s Complaints Over Julián Álvarez’s Penalty

Real Madrid clinched a hard-fought victory at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, becoming the last team to reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League after a tense penalty shootout, which Antonio Rüdiger ultimately sealed. However, the controversy surrounding the penalties dominated Diego Pablo Simeone’s press conference.

Simeone, visibly frustrated by the defeat in his own stadium, openly criticized the penalty awarded to Julián Álvarez and the VAR decision. The response from Real Madrid’s locker room came quickly, especially since one of the key incidents in the match could have favored the white team, with much of the game still ahead and anything possible.

Notable Differences in the Controversial Call

One of the most contentious moments came from Giuliano Simeone’s handball in the box, which clearly deflected a cross from Vinícius Jr. However, referee Szymon Marciniak did not consider it a punishable offense, and his VAR colleague Tomasz Kwiatkowski also saw no fault in the play. Both officials agreed that nothing unusual had occurred.

The resolution of this incident frustrated Real Madrid’s players, especially those who saw the ball clearly strike Simeone’s hand, slightly altering its trajectory in a critical area of Atlético Madrid’s penalty box. While the Madrid players acknowledged that refereeing can involve mistakes, they pointed out that video footage provides a basis for making decisions.

Immediate Response from the Madrid Squad

“Now they complain about the VAR, but no one said anything about the handball in the first half that VAR didn’t call,” remarked some of Carlo Ancelotti’s players. The Santiago Bernabéu dressing room, pleased with advancing to the quarterfinals, shared this reflection, as the significance of the match slowly faded—at least in areas beyond tactical and technical matters, where Ancelotti’s coaching staff remained in control.

The match at Riyadh Air Metropolitano also served as preparation for their upcoming clash with Villarreal, extending the race for the La Liga 24/25 title. The controversy surrounding refereeing decisions continues to follow Real Madrid, despite their dramatic victory in the stadium of their eternal capital rivals.