Club America boss, Ricardo La Volpe, believes that Real Madrid’s place in the final of the Club World Cup is something that FIFA itself wanted. The outspoken Argentine blasted the referee for allowing Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal to stand amid doubts that the Portuguese was offside.
Speaking at a press conference prior to the third-place decider, the former Mexico boss stated that the reason he didn’t bring up the issue right after the game ended was because it was the second goal and not a match-deciding one, further stating it would have been a ruckus had it been the deciding goal.
"I didn't complain at the time because it was their [Madrid's] second goal. Had it been a match-deciding goal, it would have created lots of controversy because a dubious decision would have enabled their preferred team to advance to the final. It would be foolish not to think they [FIFA] want Madrid there,” he raged.
The Club America manager then went on to point out, in a discrete manner, that in order to win against the Galacticos, one must do more than just outplay them, "In order to beat Madrid, a team like us needs to do more things aside from outplaying and outscoring them."
Also read: 10 Amazing Stats as Real Madrid enter the Club World Cup final
La Volpe then criticised the referee of the game, Enrique Caceres, for favouring Real Madrid on almost every issue.
"I disagreed with the referee on many occasions, I even asked him if we were speaking different languages," he continued. "He was giving them favourable calls upon every verbal complaint."
It seems as though losing the semi-final to Real Madrid has become a hard fact for the Argentine coach to digest.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will be facing Japanese side, Kashima Antlers, in the final of the competition. Given that the Los Blancos are yet to be beaten this season, the game is expected to be a walk in the park for the Madrid club. However, one can never rule out the uncertainty that football presents - and Kashima Antlers reaching the final against all odds to become the first Asian team to do so is a testament to that.
The good news for Zidane is that both his prime forwards, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, scored in the last game and could continue their scoring touch against the Asian side. Karim Benzema, especially, seems to have found his scoring boots, netting thrice in the last two games.
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