Tribal Football

Koeman: Real Madrid should be angry with Camavinga rather than the ref

Koeman: Real Madrid should be angry with Camavinga rather than the ref
Koeman: Real Madrid should be angry with Camavinga rather than the refREUTERS

Holland coach Ronald Koeman says Real Madrid management should be angrier with Eduardo Camavinga than the match officials after their Champions League elimination at Bayern Munich.

With Real 3-2 up on the night, the France midfielder was shown a second yellow card for blocking a quick Bayern free-kick. Bayern would then stage a late fight-back to win 4-3 on the night and knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League 6-4 on aggregate.

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Koeman said at a golf function in Barcelona on Thursday: “There were some really good matches at a very high level. I don't know if the final result was the fairest. Even though Barça played two matches with ten men… there's a lot to discuss about the referees.

"I also saw Camavinga's second yellow card. You can't let a referee hesitate. If he got a card, the foul wasn't that bad, there was no need to hold onto the ball, and maybe the referee got carried away. Like Barça's matches, playing with one less player at Atlético's ground, Barça was the better team. In a competition of thirty-eight matches, Barça was the best.

"We also have to congratulate Atlético and their coach because he's been with the team for a long time, he's made changes, and to fight and eliminate Barça in the Cup and the Champions League is a great achievement. As for the other teams, PSG is very strong, as is Bayern. That was the best possible final. Then there's Arsenal and Atleti. For me, the favorite is between PSG and Bayern.”

On Camavinga, the former Barca coach and captain also said: “If I were the coach, I’d be angrier with the player. Also with the referee, because he needs to know the flow of the game.

"He should have committed the foul and let the ball go to regain his position. By holding onto the ball, you’ve left the decision in the referee’s hands, and you can’t do that.”

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