Offside Controversy: Real Sociedad Captain Questions Real Madrid Strike
Mikel Oyarzabal shared a blend of pride and frustration after Real Sociedad’s narrow defeat to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final. He acknowledged that the team fought hard until the end, but their goal of reaching the final was thwarted despite a strong performance. This left him feeling both sad and angry about how close they came.
The match was incredibly dramatic, particularly when Oyarzabal scored a stunning header in stoppage time, which not only equalized the game but also reignited hopes for an upset. However, Oyarzabal and his teammates felt palpable frustration due to the controversy surrounding Real Madrid’s earlier goal..
The goal stemmed from a corner delivered by Aurélien Tchouameni, which Oyarzabal considered dubious due to Kylian Mbappé’s positioning during the play. According to Oyarzabal, Mbappé’s movements created confusion for Real Sociedad’s Igor Zubeldia, even though Zubeldia did make contact with the ball. Oyarzabal believed Mbappé’s positioning was offside and had a direct impact on the defender’s ability to challenge for the ball.
“You have to defend that situation, but for me, it’s clear (offside) because Mbappé makes the move to try to confuse Igor. It has an impact. I don’t know if it’s true or not; maybe I’m making a mistake. You have to defend the corner, too,” he explained.
Despite the frustration, Oyarzabal remained measured, acknowledging that with time and a calmer mind, further analysis of the controversial moments could be conducted.
In reflection, Oyarzabal also took time to consider the team’s attitude and performance, especially given the strength of their opposition. “We were confident we could turn around the semi-final tie at the Bernabéu, and that speaks volumes about what we’ve achieved in recent years,” he said.
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