The Madrid derby in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup between Real and Atlético turned out to be nervous and expectedly tough. But the main episode of the match was not the goals or dangerous moments, but the verbal altercation between Vinicius Junior and Diego Simeone, which went far beyond the usual football trash talk.

In the first half, the camera caught the Argentine coach’s phrase addressed to the Brazilian: “Florentino will kick you out, mark my words” – with a direct reference to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. For the derby, the phrase is harsh, but not accidental – both in the context of Vinicius and in the context of Simeone’s relationship with Real Madrid.

Substitution, gestures and explosion of emotions

The main phase of the conflict occurred at the end of the meeting. In the 81st minute, Vinicius was replaced by Arda Guler. When the Brazilian left the field, Simeone began to actively gesticulate: first he pointed towards the stands, then to his ear, while simultaneously saying something.

These gestures frankly hurt Vinicius. Already outside the field, he began to react emotionally to the behavior of the Atlético coach. The situation became so tense that Real Madrid coaches and substitutes had to take the 25-year-old winger aside to avoid a direct collision.

Vinicius Junior / Photo: © NurPhoto / Contributor / NurPhoto / Gettyimages.ru

Match referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer reacted quickly: both the player and the coach received a yellow card.

Alonso sided with the player

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was also on the sideline at that moment. He also shouted something at Simeone, and after the match he gave the most direct assessment of what happened.

— I try to be respectful of the players on the opposing team and usually don’t talk to them. When I realized what he said, I didn’t like it. This is not a good example of sportsmanship. Not everything is acceptable – you need to respect your opponent. What happens on the field has its limits,” As quoted Xabi Alonso as saying.

“I have a bad memory”

Simeone, however, traditionally remained in his role. At the post-match press conference, he refused to discuss the episode:

— Everything that happens on the field stays on the field.

— You told Vinicius: “Florentino will kick you out.”

– I don’t remember. I have a bad memory.

Diego Simeone / Photo: © Anadolu / Contributor / Anadolu / Gettyimages.ru

Formally, the conflict is closed. In fact, the phrase has already spread across the headlines and social networks.

Vinicius without goals, but with the last word

As for the football side of the match, everything again did not work out in the best way for Vinicius. He took part in the game against Atlético, but did not score a goal or an assist. For the Brazilian, this is already the 19th match in a row without scoring goals.

The last time Vinicius scored was on October 10, in a friendly match between Brazil and South Korea. In club tournaments, his goalless period has been going on for three months, which inevitably becomes an additional background for any conflict associated with his name.

However, the last word remains with the player himself. Under the video of Fabrizio Romano with the moment of the altercation, Vinicius wrote: “I lost the knockout match again.”

Vinicius Junior / Photo: © NurPhoto / Contributor / NurPhoto / Gettyimages.ru

Real goes further and will play Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on January 11. The story of the altercation is unlikely to be quickly forgotten – in Madrid such episodes remain in the memory for a long time. For Vinicius, this is another blow to his pride, because Real Madrid fans launched an entire campaign demanding to get rid of the scandalous and recently useless footballer.