Barça-Valencia, match corresponding to matchday 24 of the 2022-23 League. With the score 1-0 for the leader against the penultimate place, in the 8th minute of the second half, referee Alberola Rojas signaled a penalty in the visiting area through the hands of Valencian player Hugo Guillamón. From there, for four minutes, they are chained, scene by scene, protests, cross talk and a live negotiation for being the executioner. MD shows, image by image, how the ‘penalty debate’ in Barça-Valencia on Sunday.
1
THE BREACH
Finish Koundé, Guillamón’s hands
In the 53rd minute of the game, Jules Koundé’s point-blank shot was blocked by Hugo Guillamón, which went into the path of the goal-marked goal. Alberola Rojas signaled the offense: penalty.
2
PROTEST
Valencia complained
As usual with all penalized teams, the Valencia players disagreed with the penalty signal being given. Alberola Rojas is without a doubt.
3
THE NEGOTIATION
Ansu and Ferran debate the execution
Without Robert Lewandowski on the field, the first official shooter, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati chatted with the ball in the middle to find out who would take the penalty. Finally, Ferran takes responsibility. Raphinha consoles Ansu for not having a chance to go to the eleven meters.
4
THE MURDER
After a long wait, Ferran took the penalty
Between the protests, the negotiation, the indications of Alberola Rojas so that the players of both teams could not sneak into the area, the penalty kick was delayed, a long wait that according to tradition does not usually benefit the enforcer. Moments later, Ferran took a deep breath, ran and kicked the ball from the spot to find the right side of Giorgi Mamardashvil’s goal.
5
FAILURE
The pole repels the ball
Ferran Torres was looking to adjust his shot so the ball ended up at the base of the Valencia goal post, before going out. Throughout the season, Barça have taken three penalties and missed two.
6
THE FRUSTRATION
The winger regrets the mistake
Knowing that the goal would surely bring Barça closer to an important victory, Ferran regretted that the ball did not enter the goal. In an instant, his disgust was obvious. But he soon went to work to help the team keep the rent.
7
THE CONSOLATION
Carantoña from Ansu to Ferran after the penalty
Positive reaction from the team to the players who settled the penalty kick: Ansu Fati approached Ferran Torres, still mourning the mistake, to encourage him with a gesture. We must continue to fight to secure these three important points.
8
THE EXPLANATION
Xavi confirms how the pitcher was decided
Xavi Hernández, suspended, could see the whole scene from his booth at Camp Nou. Later, in a press conference, the Barça coach explained how the internal protocol works to decide the penalty shooter without the first shooter, Robert Lewandowski. “There is an order that we communicate to the players. There was Kessie, who could also shoot. There is a list of pitchers, which the ‘staff’ marks, although then the players, based on feelings, also decide. I see it as something positive, Ansu also wanted to score. And Ferran, because of the missed penalty, should not be crucified”.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
