Real Madrid held by Sevilla as Ancelotti fumes
SEVILLA, Spain, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Captain Dani Carvajal's late header earned Real Madrid a 1-1 draw against Sevilla on Saturday, as the La Liga leaders hit back after David Alaba's own goal gave the hosts the lead.
Real have 25 points after 10 games, three ahead of Girona, who will host the surprise of the season, Girona, on Sunday. Barcelona, third with 21 points, faces Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
It was an eventful game in Sevilla, with the Real team frustrated as two early tries were disallowed due to controversial refereeing decisions.
In the first half, Real players and coach Carlo Ancelotti complained to the referee several times. He ruled out Federico Valverde's first shot for offside in the build-up, said he had stopped play before Jude Bellingham put the ball into the net and dismissed Real's claims that Jesus Navas had fouled Vinicius Jr in the penalty area.
Sevilla begin their comeback and are close to scoring when Carvajal clears a ball past the goal and parries Ivan Rakitic's shot.
Defender Sergio Ramos, playing for the club where he made his name for the first time since his childhood, scored the winning goal himself and helped Sevilla maintain their level of play before half-time.
The second half was dominated by the goalkeepers, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Orjan Nyland defending phenomenally to keep their teams in the game.
Sevilla's Nyland denies Rodrygo's close-range shot with a brilliant, reflexive save early on, and Real's Kepa sends Ivan Rakitic's brilliant long-range effort past the post.
However, Madrid conceded a goal after an own goal from defender Alaba when he challenged striker Youssef En Nesyri in the 74th minute.
But four minutes later Carvajal equalized with a powerful header from close range from Toni Kroos' cross.
The game becomes more and more exciting and after several collisions in the final minutes there are five yellow cards.
Ancelotti, who received a yellow card for a complaint, was visibly frustrated.
After saying during a press conference that the referee was “right in every decision,” the Italian admitted he was trying to avoid disqualification.
“Irony is the only way. Because if I say what I really think (about refereeing), I will get a lot of matches (disqualifications). Ancelotti said on Real Madrid television.
“I prefer to sit on the Real Madrid bench. To avoid disqualification, I decided not to say what I think." So I use irony.
“It was a hard-fought and difficult game.We started well and scored two goals, but they were disallowed. In the second half everything evened out because we reduced the intensity.
“The result isn't bad, but of course we always want to win. However, a point is okay in such a stadium and against such a difficult opponent. Keep going."
reporting by Fernando Kallas in Madrid, edited by Ed Osmond and Hugh Lawson
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