Madrid Tidbits: Carvajal’s Response, Penalty Stats, and Modric’s Milestone

Despite ending the year being undefeated in seven matches (including six wins), there was a sour note to Real Madrid’s match against Elche where the reigning Spanish champions could only walk away with a solitary point. Elche sitting in the lower half of the table and Atletico Madrid continuing their storming charge both combined to impress the feeling of disappointment in the Los Blancos camp.

One of the big talking points from the match was the referee’s decision to award a penalty for Carvajal’s contact with an opposition player following a corner kick. Many felt this was a game defining moment — Casemiro and Courtois both spoke about the incident in the aftermath with the Brazilian not willing to delve into whether it was the right call and the latter pointing out there was a similar action in Elche’s box.

Additionally, Carvajal interacted with a critic on his social media as the Spaniard acknowledged his mistake while highlighting the contradiction of those that jump at the opportunity to attack players while still celebrating the successes of those same players later on.

Another interesting fact was that the penalty was the sixth called against the team this season which is more than has been scored against Real Madrid in its last 65 games (!) in La Liga. When compared to last season, Real Madrid were awarded 11 penalties and conceded just two while this season after 16 games, they have been awarded only two (compared to four for Atletico and five for Barcelona) and already conceded six (compared to two for Barcelona and zero for Atletico).

The one positive takeaway from the Elche match was Modric who officially recorded his first headed goal for Madrid since he first donned the Blanco jersey.