Real Madrid will appeal to overturn Federico Valverde’s red card vs Atletico Madrid | OneFootball

Real Madrid played the final 13 minutes of their game against Atletico Madrid last night with ten men, yet walked away with all three points and a 3-2 win to their name.

Their numerical setback on the night arrived in the 77th minute of the game when Federico Valverde was sent off for a rash tackle on Alex Baena, one where the referee saw the midfielder to be making no attempt to win the ball.

Real Madrid and Alvaro Arbeloa, however, insist that the foul was anything but worthy of a red card and the reaction in the Spanish capital has shown that the fans echo that sentiment.

Card to be appealed

Now, as relayed in a recent update by MARCA, Real Madrid will appeal Valverde’s red card against Atletico Madrid and hope the sanction will be overturned.

Los Blancos believe that the red card on the night was less about the nature and severity of the foul and more about the players involved given that it was Alex Baena who Valverde had tackled.

Valverde was sent off against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The history between the players goes back years, starting off in 2023 when the Real Madrid star allegedly punched Baena, who was at Villarreal at the time, in the parking lot following remarks on his family.

Eventually, the matter even reached the police with the case eventually dismissed.

Real Madrid thus believes that the midfielder was sent off last night, not because of a dangerous challenge but because he made the challenge on Baena.

Their feeling is that it would have been a yellow card had the tackle been on any other Atletico Madrid player.

“If the tackle was on Koke, it would’ve 100% only been a yellow card,” is the internal message.

As it stands, Valverde is likely to receive a two-game suspension and Real Madrid will hope that the sanction can be reduced or cancelled. The chance for such a turnaround, however, appears low.