Chapter 736: Minor Infractions
After the end of the century derby, Barcelona, ??which suffered a defeat, not only faced criticism from fans and the media but also encountered many internal problems.
According to Vanguard, the relationship between head coach Enrique and James Rodríguez became increasingly tense. As one of the standout players in the 2014 World Cup, the Colombian was once a target pursued by both Real Madrid and Barcelona.
In the end, the high offer and salary from the Catalan team helped them win this competition, and James' performance in his first season was impressive enough. He even became one of Bartomeu's campaign bases.
However, after the start of the new season, James encountered a period of injury. When he returned to the team, he found himself replaced, and the opportunities given by the head coach became fewer and fewer.
Especially in this crucial century derby, Enrique seemed to have never considered him. Even when Rakiti? performed poorly, the head coach did not show any intention of replacing him.
After the game, most Barcelona players were caught in sadness and confusion, except for James, who appeared very angry. He kicked over a water bottle on the sidelines and then walked alone into the player tunnel.
This scene happened to be captured by reporters and soon appeared on many social media and news pages.
As early as before the last round of Barcelona's match against Celta Vigo, Enrique had talked about James' return from injury: "His condition has not reached the standard for playing yet, and he still needs a lot of preparation."
However, the Colombian clearly did not accept this view. He posted his training plans and completion status on his personal social media, with the caption: "In excellent condition!"
Vanguard believes that James' style of play does not quite fit with Barcelona's possession-based system and tactics centered around Messi. He is not fast but mainly relies on his overall view and passing vision for frontcourt organization, which requires a lot of ball possession.
So far, James has only played four La Liga matches, and he hasn't started in any of them. His longest playing time was 40 minutes as a substitute in the sixth round against Real Betis.
Colombia's Diario As said, "If the purpose of the Catalan team's acquisition of James is to make him lost, then they have done a great job."
The report pessimistically stated that James had been abandoned by the coaching staff, and perhaps he should not have chosen Barcelona but Real Madrid.
With less and less playing time, he is bound to fall behind the rhythm of the whole team, and the team cannot benefit from the players' performances. This transfer may once again become one of Barcelona's many failed cases.
On November 25th, in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League group stage, Real Madrid challenged Shakhtar Donetsk away. As they had already secured a spot in the next round, the Galacticos made a lot of rotations.
Veteran álvaro Arbeloa, who had not played for a long time, wore the captain's armband and started. He came from Real Madrid's youth academy. Coincidentally, thirteen years ago today, the Spanish defender also wore the armband of Real Madrid Castilla for the first time.
That season, he, along with De la Red, Javi García, Soldado, and Juanfran, led Castilla to promotion to the Segunda División.
Due to the inability to establish himself in the Galacticos for a long time, Arbeloa made an important decision in the year Wang Feng joined, leaving his hometown team for Deportivo La Coru?a.
This may be the wisest choice he made, and the Spanish defender quickly established himself and performed at a sufficient level. He was soon noticed by Liverpool and brought to Anfield, growing into a top-class defender in European football.
After returning to the Bernabéu in 2009, Arbeloa became an indispensable figure in the dynasty, contributing to all the championships the team won.
As he aged, and players like Ramos, Marcelo, and Carvajal developed rapidly into key players, the Spaniard gradually sat on the bench.
Time seemed to have gone through a cycle on him. Arbeloa knew that after this season, it might be time for him to leave the Bernabéu and explore again.
He's not old yet! The case of the Chinese superstar has become a model and inspiration for all veterans. They want to remain as active on the field as Wang Feng.
The whole process of the match was quite turbulent, with both sides attacking and defending quickly, and the lead changing constantly. In the end, the Galacticos narrowly defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 4:3 away.
Three days later, in the 13th round of La Liga, Real Madrid challenged Elche away.
In a quick counterattack, Wang Feng dribbled the ball for a long distance and then made a cross. Gonzalo Iguaín shot over the goalkeeper in the penalty area, brushing the crossbar and scoring.
Coupled with a goal from Modri?, the away team won 2:0 and took three points in the league.
Entering December, Real Madrid's schedule in the Copa del Rey arrived, and in the fourth round, they faced Segunda División B side Guijuelo away.
Originally, this was just an ordinary match, and Ancelotti's rotation lineup was enough to overpower the opponent and win 3:1.
However, it wasn't until three hours after the match ended that some officials and media noticed something was wrong. Guijuelo quickly reacted to it, realizing that Real Madrid had violated the rules!
Cheryshev, who started the match, did not have the qualification to participate at all. Because last season, during his loan to Villarreal, he received three yellow cards in Copa del Rey matches, resulting in a one-game suspension.
This suspension was only limited to the Copa del Rey, and even if he returned to Real Madrid, he still needed to serve it. Obviously, the club did not realize this.
Marca was the first to point out that the Galacticos were in big trouble. If Guijuelo chooses to appeal, then they may face being disqualified.
The same situation also occurred in the Copa del Rey match between Osasuna and Mirandés in 2015, where Osasuna was directly judged to have lost.
The happiest about this situation are undoubtedly the club's arch-rivals. Marca declared, "If the situation worsens, Real Madrid President Florentino needs to take full responsibility and resign."
Guest commentator Miguel Sánchez said, "This is a ridiculous mistake. It's hard to imagine a professional giant club and defending champion of the competition digging its own grave like this."
"This kind of thing can only happen at Real Madrid. They hold their heads high and disdain all trivial matters."
"Being eliminated from a cup competition in such a shameful way, regardless, the club president must step up and take responsibility. Avoidance is the behavior of the weak."
This statement was obviously exaggerated. With Florentino's current status, even if Real Madrid is disqualified for violation, it will have no impact on his position.
The club immediately defended themselves, complaining that the Spanish Football Association and Villarreal did not inform them, and no one stopped them after the starting lineup was announced.
"Neither the player nor the team was aware at all. We did not do it intentionally. We will actively contact the relevant personnel and await their ruling."
Soon after, the Spanish Football Association officially issued a punishment document, canceling Real Madrid's qualification in the Copa del Rey for violating the rules, and they were eliminated ahead of schedule!
Although the club stated that they would appeal, the result is unlikely to change. The Galacticos dramatically ended their Copa del Rey journey.
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