😢 Bordalás subs him off after just minutes... and he bursts into tears! | OneFootball

The Madrid derby between Rayo Vallecano and Getafe in Vallecas is always synonymous with intensity, but the latest edition left an image that went beyond the purely sporting aspect.

In a scenario where everything was very evenly matched, Pepe Bordalás’s management was once again under the media spotlight. It wasn’t due to a defensive approach or an agonizing victory, but rather because of a human and technical decision that deeply touched the viewers’ sensitivity: the substitution of Álex Sancris and his subsequent desolation on the bench.

The decision came at a critical moment in the match, just a few minutes before the end. Sancris, who arrived this past summer and is a versatile player for Bordalás, left the pitch with a distraught expression. The change didn’t seem to be due to any obvious injury, but rather to one of those strategic decisions by the coach that allow no debate, leaving the player with the bitter feeling of not having been able to fulfill what the match demanded of him.

The cameras quickly captured the vulnerability of the winger. Álex Sancris, broken in tears and seeking refuge in his own shirt, personified the disappointment of the substitution.

This has sparked some criticism from Getafe’s own fans, who point out that other players deserved to be substituted before Álex.

Bordalás’s Justification

This is what Bordalás later said about it: “Sancris’s substitution? You always try to think about what’s best for the team. These are decisions you make as a coach. There are things you don’t see and you consider that they can be improved. The foul that led to the goal was caused by the guy who came on for him. It’s not pleasant for the coach.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 Juan Manuel Serrano Arce - 2025 Getty Images