🥐 From victory to controversy... 5️⃣ stories to start your Wednesday | OneFootball

The European matchday leaves us with a bittersweet taste where the shine of the ball has once again been overshadowed by intolerable behaviors in the stands and on the pitch.

While Real Madrid secured a golden prize in Lisbon, the media spotlight inevitably shifts to a new and serious episode of racism that tests UEFA's resolve.

Football doesn't stop, and the aftermath of comebacks in Paris and Juventus's downfall in Turkey gives way to a high-voltage Wednesday.

Today, attention shifts to the Metropolitano and the Alfredo Di Stéfano. Atlético de Madrid under Diego Pablo Simeone seeks to transfer their excellent league form to the top continental competition against a Bruges team that has historically been a tough nut to crack.

Meanwhile, the women's section of the white club has the historic opportunity to secure their presence among the top eight teams in Europe, rounding off a week that could be decisive for Madrid's aspirations on both fronts.

Real Madrid's victory in Lisbon marked by controversy

Real Madrid has taken a giant step towards the quarter-finals after defeating Benfica 0-1. In a highly tense match, a goal from Vinicius Jr. tipped the scales for Arbeloa's team, who showed a very solid and organized version. However, the sporting aspect was overshadowed by the expulsion of José Mourinho for his heated protests and a racist incident that shames football.

Racist scandal against Vinicius Jr.

The negative note of the match at Da Luz was the intolerable racist attack by Prestianni towards Vinicius. The Argentine called the Brazilian "monkey" after the goal, forcing referee Letexier to stop the match for eight minutes. Despite the aggressor's attempt to hide his words, Mbappé confirmed in the report that he heard the insult five times.

Day of comebacks and surprises in Europe

In the rest of the matchday, PSG worked a miracle against Monaco (2-3) thanks to a display by Doué, although there is concern over Dembélé's injury. On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund delivered against Atalanta with a brace from Guirassy (2-0), while Juventus suffered a disastrous humiliation by losing 5-2 in their visit to Galatasaray.

Atlético seeks to break their Belgian curse

Tonight it's Atlético de Madrid's turn, starting their playoff against Club Brugge. Simeone's team faces the challenge of defeating an opponent that has historically been a stumbling block for them. It is expected that "Cholo" will repeat the lineup that recently thrashed Barça, with the only change being the return of Jan Oblak between the posts to ensure a strong defense.

Real Madrid Women on the brink of European glory

The players of Pau Quesada have a date with history today. After the valuable prize obtained in France (2-3), Real Madrid hosts Paris FC with the goal of securing their passage to the quarter-finals of the Women's Champions. The Alfredo Di Stéfano will decide the fate of a team that wants to firmly establish itself among the continent's elite.

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

📸 PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA - AFP or licensors