Villarreal boss Marcelino sides with Athletic Club after penalty drama | OneFootball

The latest comments on the part of Villarreal head coach Marcelino have turned heads across Spain late on Sunday.

This comes after the tactician essentially admitted that his side’s last-gasp penalty against Athletic Club should not have been awarded.

The subject of developments late in the La Liga meeting between Athletic and Villarreal has dominated the Spanish headlines over the course of the last few hours.

As much comes after the former were denied what would have represented a crucial three points, right at the death.

With Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic in possession of a one-goal lead deep into injury-time, Yuri Berchiche went to ground in the penalty area, to block a goal-bound effort.

The play was initially waved on, only for referee Guillermo Cuadra to be called to the pitch-side VAR monitor to look back over the incident.

And, incredibly, despite the ball having ricocheted off Yuri’s leg up into the region of his armpit, it was ultimately decided that a spot-kick was to be awarded.

Dani Parejo stepped up to convert his ensuing effort from 12 yards, ensuring that the spoils were shared at San Mamés.

Post-match, a number of figures from Athletic Club have moved to make clear their frustration with the call, feeling understandably robbed amid their ongoing push for a Champions League berth.

And, as alluded to above, siding with the Basque giants a short time ago was none other than Marcelino.

Speaking in his own media exchange following the full-time whistle at San Mamés, Villarreal’s headmaster was asked for his take on the penalty afforded to his side.

And Marcelino was not shy in admitting that, had as much been given against his side, he would have been left ‘very angry’:

“Athletic took the lead although they didn’t create many more clear chances,” he began, as cited by Mundo Deportivo. “We had sparks and in the final stretch we attacked very well, but if they had given this penalty against me I would have been very angry.”

Conor Laird | GSFN