América does not want more arbitration controversies
Ramón Juárez, the defender of América, is up to his neck with controversial arbitrations. After the first leg against Toluca, which ended in a boring 0-0 (yes, another one), the azulcrema player asked the football gods—or rather, the referee César Ramos Palazuelos—that in the second leg the dangerous actions that put Kevin Álvarez at risk would not be repeated. Because, let’s be honest, no one wants to see a player stretchered off for an unnecessary kick.
The kick that almost unleashed chaos
If you didn’t see the game, I’ll summarize it for you: Alexis Vega, Toluca’s midfielder, miraculously escaped a red card after scraping Kevin Álvarez’s studs. Was it intentional? Who knows. But what we do know is that Juárez did not just swallow it. “There are actions that put the integrity of the player at risk,” he said with that mix of diplomacy and frustration that only a professional soccer player can achieve. I mean, he basically said: “Hey, don’t suck, this isn’t the UFC.”.
“There are a couple of actions that, beyond complaining, put the integrity of the player at risk, this is the case of the kick against Kevin, but in the end it is already marked, it was done, the important thing is that in the return a good job is done by the players and refereeing.”
Juárez, who came on in the 82nd minute (yes, just when everyone was beginning to wonder if they were going to go directly to penalties), assured that they are not afraid that a referee error will ruin the final for them. Although, let’s face it, in Mexican soccer that happens more than we would like to admit. “We hope not,” he said with a smile that clearly hid a “please don’t do this to us again.”
The revenge in the Nemesio Diez
The second leg promises to be more exciting than the first (or at least we hope so, because the first leg was more boring than a Zoom meeting). Juárez assured that Toluca played to keep the tie as if their life depended on it, but at home, the Red Devils are usually a different team. “There they close at home,” he warned, as if to say: “Get ready for an intense match, with or without controversial refereeing.”.
Meanwhile, America is already thinking about how to break that Tolkian defense (yes, like the one in The Lord of the Rings, because no one passed). “We will rest, and tomorrow we will think and see the best way to approach the game,” Juárez said, although surely in his head he is already reviewing plays and silently cursing the referees.
So now you know: if you want drama, football and possibly more referee controversy, don’t miss the second leg of this final. Because in Liga MX, the only predictable thing is the unpredictable.
Do you think the referee will be key in the final? Share your opinion and don’t miss any more analysis about Liga MX.
