Villarreal 0-0 Real Madrid: Raul Albiol slams Vinicius Jr amid penalty controversy | OneFootball

Villarreal captain Raul Albiol has taken a pointed swipe at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior after the two men clashed in the 0-0 draw between their sides at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday afternoon.

Los Blancos missed the chance to go six points clear at the top of La Liga following the stalemate, which saw plenty of bad blood on display between the two teams.

Referee Jose Sanchez issued four yellow cards during an ill-tempered opening 45 minutes, when the most controversial incident of the match occurred.

Following a coming together in the hosts’ penalty area, former Real player Albiol appeared to catch Vinicius in the face with his forearm. The Brazilian certainly felt that contact had been made as he fell to the turf clutching his face.

Appeals for a penalty – and inevitable red card – were turned down by referee Sanchez, with a VAR check supporting the official’s initial interpretation.

On another day, Albiol may not have been quite so lucky. You can check out footage of the tussle for yourself below.

Watch: Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior goes down in the penalty area under a physical challenge from Villarreal’s Raul Albiol

Although he escaped any sanctions over the incident, Albiol was still incensed after the match over what he believed was clear simulation from Vinicius in a bid to win a spot-kick.

Speaking to the press following the final whistle, he insisted: “I didn’t see him coming. If I’d had gone to hit him, believe me, I’d have made him bleed,” Albiol told Movistar, per Reuters.

“Obviously people will talk about a potential penalty, but it wasn’t. He ran into my arm and if I’d have gone for him with my elbow, he’d have been leaving the pitch.”

A pretty stern warning for any future opponents who might be contemplating tangling with Albiol.

Real boss Carlo Ancelotti appeared to back Albiol’s stance when talking to the media post-match, admitting: “It does not worry me. You have to understand that this can happen. You have to stay focused on the game. He [Vinicius] played a good game, he doesn’t have to waste energy on these things.”

Gareth Bale makes Real return

A frustrating afternoon for Los Blancos did have one major positive with the return of Gareth Bale to the starting line-up for the first time since August.

Just days away from Real’s crunch Champions League tie with Paris Saint Germain, Bale made it through 74 minutes of action and even saw a long-range effort tipped on to the crossbar by Villarreal shot-stopper Geronimo Rulli.

With star frontman Karim Benzema struggling with injury and Vinicius having now gone a full month without finding the net, the Welshman’s comeback has come at an ideal time for Ancelotti’s side.

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