Headline: Malaga’s Funes Reflects on Real Madrid Defeat and Questions Referee Decisions
Malaga manager Juan Francisco Funes has acknowledged that his team struggled to cope with Real Madrid’s vigorous start at the Santiago Bernabéu, while also questioning the decision-making that led to Jude Bellingham’s opener.
Malaga arrived in Madrid aware of the formidable challenge posed by the star-studded Real Madrid squad. Funes remarked that the early moments of the match clearly illustrated how quickly a game can slip away from an opponent when the home side is at their peak.
Madrid’s intense start left Malaga unable to gain a foothold, with the damage done before they could settle into the match. Despite the defeat, Funes found positive aspects in his players’ response after halftime, even as Malaga departed the Bernabéu without a point.
“They pressed hard during those 15 minutes and got the better of us. They punished us severely,” Funes stated.
Funes also analyzed the game in detail, expressing that the second half showed a different side to his team. “In the second half, we saw something different. They had to clear a lot of balls off their line. Either you’re at your best, or the punishment is severe,” he explained.
The manager highlighted the contrast between the two halves as the most encouraging aspect of an otherwise challenging night. While Malaga failed to generate genuine chances, Funes noted that the team regained some composure and resilience in the latter half. “We didn’t have any chances, but I liked the second half. When Madrid shakes you up, the lads were able to hold on,” he added.
Funes’s tone shifted when discussing the incident leading up to Bellingham’s first goal. He felt that midfielder Recio had been fouled in the buildup and criticized the inconsistency in officiating. He recalled a similar sentiment following Malaga’s prior match against Atletico Madrid and raised concerns about the treatment of foul statistics late in the game.
“You get the feeling that even if you breathe on a Real Madrid player, it’s a foul. For us, we have to bleed to earn a foul,” he remarked. Funes concluded by stating, “It happened with Atlético too. In the final minutes, the foul statistics are doctored. But let’s focus on what we can do.”
Malaga manager Juan Francisco Funes has admitted that his side was overwhelmed by Real Madrid’s explosive start at the Santiago Bernabéu, while also raising questions over the decision-making in the build-up to Jude Bellingham’s opening goal.
Malaga arrived in Madrid knowing the scale of the challenge against a star-filled Real Madrid side, and Funes felt the opening stages demonstrated just how quickly a match can get away from any opponent when the hosts reach their highest level.
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Madrid’s early intensity left Malaga struggling to establish themselves, and the damage was done before the visitors had the chance to settle.
Still, Funes found reasons for encouragement in the way his players responded after the interval, even though Malaga ultimately left the Bernabéu empty-handed.
“They pressed hard during those 15 minutes and got the better of us. They punished us severely.
Juan Francisco Funes analysed Real Madrid defeat in detail. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“In the second half we saw something different. They had to clear a lot of balls off their line. Either you’re at your best, or the punishment is severe,” he analysed.
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Funes finds positives despite Real Madrid defeat
For Funes, the contrast between the two halves was the most encouraging part of an otherwise difficult night.
Malaga could not create a genuine chance of their own, but their manager believed the team recovered some composure and resilience after the break.
“We didn’t have any chances, but I liked the second half. When Madrid shakes you up, the lads were able to hold on.”
Malaga manager questions Bellingham goal build-up
Funes was less restrained when discussing the incident that preceded Bellingham’s first goal.
Juan Francisco Funes was critical of the match referee in Bellingham’s opening goal. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
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The Malaga manager felt midfielder Recio had been fouled during the build-up and suggested there was a wider inconsistency in the way decisions were being made against his side.
He referred to a similar frustration from Malaga’s match against Atletico Madrid and questioned the treatment of late-game foul statistics.
“You get the feeling that even if you breathe on a Real Madrid player, it’s a foul. For us, we have to bleed to earn a foul.
“It happened with Atlético too. In the final minutes, the foul statistics are doctored. But let’s focus on what we can do,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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