Barcelona didn't take well the appointment of Gil Manzano for the Super Cup final. Their fears have been realized.
He's the same referee who can boast and does boast of having sent off Messi, Luis Suárez, Neymar, and Piqué.
He's the same one who sent off Lewandowski in Pamplona two years ago, who got three matches for touching his nose.
The Referee Real Madrid Wanted in the Final
Gil Manzano is the referee with whom Barcelona has the worst records. The referee with whom they lose the most. He had officiated three clásicos until today, and all three ended with Real Madrid's victory.
Probably that's why he was chosen to officiate the Super Cup final. Sociological Madridism has everything under control.
Gil Manzano is the referee who maintains family ties with a Real Madrid supporters' club. He's the referee who left Villarreal with a white bag, with the Real Madrid crest, and loaded with Real Madrid gifts.
That day, Gil Manzano performed a masterful job in favor of Real Madrid, helping them to overturn a lost match in Villarreal.
If there's a referee that Real Madrid likes, it's Gil Manzano. If there's a referee that Barcelona doesn't like, it's Gil Manzano.
Real Madrid's Goal Shouldn't Have Counted
Today he once again lent a hand to Real Madrid in the play of the 1-0. It was the 5th minute of play. At the start of the play, there was a blatant foul captured by TV cameras.
Vinícius knocks down Casadó and that's where the Real Madrid counterattack play that ended in Mbappé's goal began.
Gil Manzano didn't even flinch. The VAR didn't either. Then they talk about Negreira, the CSD, and the forces of evil.
Barcelona understood within five minutes that they had to reach excellence to win the Super Cup.
That's what they did in the first half: reach excellence. It's the only way to overcome Real Madrid and their wildcards.
Gil Manzano Spares Camavinga and Falsifies the Match
Camavinga received a yellow card for his tackle on Gavi's thigh in the penalty play. Then he grabbed Gavi with both hands in the 45th minute to stop a Barcelona counterattack.
The second card was textbook. However, Gil Manzano wasn't in the mood to apply the rules if it meant harming Real Madrid.
That's exactly what he did. He left Camavinga on the field, falsifying the final.
Against Real Madrid, it's always the same. However, this time the white team hasn't been enough with the referee's wildcard help. At least in the first half.
The 4-1 on the scoreboard at halftime makes it very clear who's better. By land, sea, and air. And that's just a few months after the 0-4 at Bernabéu.
Flick's Barcelona gives Ancelotti nightmares... and without Dani Olmo.