Maldini's Opinion on Tchouaméni's Penalty to Samu Lino: 'With the Rules'

One of the most talked-about plays of the Madrid classic is the penalty by Aurélien Tchouaméni on Samuel Lino. The French stopper's stomp on the Atlético de Madrid footballer led Soto Grado, after reviewing the action, to award the maximum penalty against Real Madrid. Julián Álvarez didn't miss his shot from the penalty spot, but ultimately the Atlético team didn't take the three points thanks to Kylian Mbappé's goal.

Despite the competitive tension of this match, the debate is centered on the penalty. Opinions about the resolution of the action have quickly accumulated, and one of the most prominent in analyzing it is Julio Maldonado. The veteran journalist, better known as "Maldini", doesn't seem to have any doubt: "with the rules, it's a penalty".

The analyst and commentator understands that "it's a defender stepping on an attacking player. With the rules, it's a penalty, I think there's no doubt", insists 'Maldini'. But the position of the ball in that play, as well as the intervention of the VAR, prevent it from being a firm and doubt-free sentence on the part of the journalist.

"I think VAR is here to improve refereeing, and what it's doing is causing more confusion". Because this tool should be used for "plays that are flagrant, scandalous. In this play, Samu Lino had already lost the ball, and Tchouaméni makes a blunder", describes Julio Maldonado.

Surprising Verdict

He also makes it clear that "it's evident" that the Madridist '14' steps on the Atlético de Madrid player. "When they send the referee to review in the VAR, he's already really committed. Because they're already telling him, by calling him, that what he decided on the field isn't correct, and he sees Tchouaméni's stomp on Samu Lino and calls a penalty".

The referees' reaction in managing this play leaves a very clear impression on Julio Maldonado: "I think we're denaturalizing soccer with these things". That wouldn't be the way to see soccer that the veteran journalist and sports analyst has, putting his personal opinion regarding this controversy.

"In the soccer that I understand as ideal, in the game, to me, that doesn't seem like a penalty. But I understand that once the referee goes to the monitor to see it, well, he calls it". The reasons for that decision by Soto Grado could well be that the referee from Ávila "sees the picture and they're inciting him to call it, and he ends up calling it", concludes 'Maldini'.

This new verdict on the penalty called on Samu Lino, committed by Aurélien Tchouaméni, will further fuel the debate about the performance of César Soto Grado and Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea. The Madrid classic ended in a draw, but its competitive aftermath will last until the end of the current season.