Alonso Questions Red Card to Huijsen in Real Madrid's Victory Against Real Sociedad

Xabi Alonso Disagrees with Dean Huijsen’s Expulsion in Real Madrid’s Victory

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso expressed his disagreement with the referee’s decision that resulted in the expulsion of Dean Huijsen during the 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad last Saturday. Huijsen, central defender, received a straight red card in the 32nd minute for a foul on Mikel Oyarzabal, interpreted by referee Jesús Gil as a last-man play. The match was played at the Reale Arena, with the score 1-0 in favor of Madrid thanks to the early goal by Kylian Mbappé, which forced the visitors to play with ten men. Arda Güler extended Madrid’s lead before halftime, while Oyarzabal scored a penalty in the 56th minute, generating a tense finish for the white team, who managed to hold on to the victory and secure their fourth consecutive win in LaLiga.

For me, it was a yellow card. Militao was close. The ball wasn’t controlled. There were still 40 meters to go.
Xabi Alonso

Dean Huijsen fue expulsado antes del descanso contra la Real Sociedad el sábado. Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Alonso, in a press conference after the match, questioned the referee’s explanation for the expulsion. The coach described Huijsen, who has been sent off twice since joining Madrid this summer, as “relieved” and “angry” after the victory. The coach admitted that the defender’s absence was “avoidable”, but disagreed with the decision to punish it with a red card.

When there are clear errors, I like VAR to intervene. I don’t want to turn this into a monologue about the referee… It conditioned the match a lot.
Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso no estaba contento con el arbitraje en la victoria de su equipo. Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Alonso had a long and lively discussion with the referee at the end of the match.

We talked about his interpretation. It didn’t convince me much. But there it is, we can’t do anything. Let’s see if other explanations convince me.
Xabi Alonso

Mbappé, author of one of the goals, who already has four in LaLiga this season, commented that the red card “changed the game a little” and that the team “suffered as a team, but we are going home with the three points”. The club’s television channel reported on Saturday that Madrid was “preparing a dossier” on the refereeing decisions of this season and last year, which they will “send to FIFA” so that the world football governing body “takes note of what is happening with the referees.”