Jude and Vini must be extremely careful in New Jersey today. Their fate not only depends on their own restraint, but also on how mild Brazilian referee Ramón Abatti is with his whistle. A yellow card for either Real Madrid player would mean suspension of a potential semi-final against PSG or Bayern Munich-a very real risk.
Vinicius in particular is the most booked player of the team this season and even has this world cup extension. He has already collected 16 yellow cards. And the second most booked booked? That would be Bellingham, with 12.
Most of Vinicius (10) bookings have come to Laliga, often for different opinions – part of his continuous struggle with Spanish referees. He says he feels more at ease with Champions League officials, but here in the US he has already picked up one yellow. Another one, and he is suspended.
Only players who are completely card -free due to the quarterfinals are guaranteed to play in the semi -final. The only way to miss the final is to see red in the semi -final, not through map accumulation. This control change in the UEFA competitions in part partially influenced by Xabi Alonso's notorious yellow against Bayern in the semi-final second stage of 2014 in Munich, who ruled him from the final, La Décima.
Now, under the tactical system of Xabi, Vinicius must be more involved and disciplined in the press, increasing the chance of a wrong challenge and a different booking. If the game in favor of Madrid tilts, Xabi has cards to play. Gonzalo could come from the bank to replace Vini; He played used to Castilla and the U-19s from his early days. Even the melancholic Rodrygo could lend a hand.
In the meantime, Jude has a recent memory at home how expensive a yellow card can be. His younger brother Jobe took one in the round of 16 against Rayados – without even realizing it at the time – and that booking keeps him out of today's game. So no Bellingham vs. Bellingham.
As for today's referee, Ramón Abatti has chosen a relaxed approach in this tournament. He sent Asensio against Pachuca in Charlotte in the sixth minute, but the attack left little room for doubt. In total he has shown only two yellow cards about two competitions that are exactly trigger-happy. A little relief then for Jude, Vini and Madrid.
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