As if the wounds from the 4-2 defeat in Lisbon weren’t fresh enough, UEFA has just rubbed salt in them. In the last few hours, the European governing body confirmed a double sanction against Real Madrid following that chaotic night at the Estadio da Luz.
It’s bad news, Madridistas. And it complicates our path forward in the Champions League significantly.
The Collective Fine: A Warning for Arbeloa
First up is the financial hit. UEFA has fined the club €40,000 for a breach of regulations regarding the kick-off time.
Apparently, entering the pitch late for the second half (or kickoff) is now a “zero-tolerance” issue for UEFA, specifically to protect broadcast schedules. Because the team delayed the 9:00 p.m. unified kick-off, the club has been hit in the wallet.
More concerning is that Álvaro Arbeloa has been singled out. The coaching staff is considered responsible for the delay, and Arbeloa has received an official warning for “unsporting conduct.” It’s a slap on the wrist, but it puts the bench on notice.
The Real Blow: Rodrygo Suspended for 2 Matches
The fine is annoying, but the sporting sanction is where it hurts.
We feared the worst when Rodrygo saw red in the dying moments of the game, and UEFA has confirmed our fears. The Brazilian winger has been handed a two-match ban.
According to the report, the red card was issued for “insulting comments” directed at referee Davide Massa. While emotions were running high after a frustrating 4-2 loss, this moment of indiscipline has cost us dearly.
What This Means for the Playoffs
This isn’t just a standard suspension. Because we dropped into the playoff round (and as fate would have it, we drew Benfica again), Rodrygo will now miss both legs of the do-or-die tie.
We have to go back to Lisbon and then host them at the Bernabéu without one of our most dynamic attackers.
It’s a massive blow, but this is Real Madrid. We don’t make excuses; we make comebacks. The squad will have to dig deep, and Arbeloa will need to find a solution on the right wing to ensure we survive the playoffs and make the Round of 16.