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Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo’s temper is still getting the better of him, and it could prove costly in Real Madrid’s pursuit of the Spanish league title.

The Portugal forward scored both goals in Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Malaga before being sent off for an elbow smash that broke the nose of defender Patrick Mtiliga. The dismissal was Ronaldo’s second of the season and will result in a one-game ban at least unless Madrid’s expected appeal is successful. The first came against Almeria in December for intentionally kicking out at a player.

“He who understands football knows my intention is always to play. That red card is an embarrassment. I don’t understand these types of things,” Ronaldo said. “That isn’t a red [card] here or in any other place in the world, and I’m not saying that because I want protection. Here in Spain there are a lot of good things, but also bad ones.”

While Mtiliga came off bleeding and will now miss three weeks, Ronaldo left in disbelief at the decision.

“You have to be fair when looking at what happened. I didn’t mean to harm him,” Ronaldo said. “I’ve seen worse incidents than that in other games.”

Madrid director general Jorge Valdano said Mtiliga was tugging Ronaldo’s shirt and believes referees need to do better.

“A referee should know who’s doing something for the ‘show’ and who’s doing something to interrupt it,” Valdano said. “When [Ronaldo] was grabbed from behind, he tried to break free because he always has the intention of playing, while others would throw themselves to the ground and simulate a foul.”

Mtiliga accepted an apology from Ronaldo but said he didn’t expect Madrid’s outcry.

“I’m surprised that people say I’m the bad guy in this movie,” Mtiliga said on Monday. “I was bleeding and when I got into the changing room I noticed that my nose was in a position it shouldn’t have been.”

Ronaldo could be banned for up to three games just when Madrid needs his goals with rival Barcelona in great form.

The defending Spanish champions have won their last three matches by a combined 12-0 score to finish the first half of the season unbeaten with a five-point advantage over Madrid.

Madrid plays at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday at El Riazor stadium, where it has lost six straight times and hasn’t won in nearly two decades. It will be without leading striker Gonzalo Higuain, who has 11 goals, and Ronaldo, who has nine.

Barcelona, meanwhile, travels to Sporting Gijon where it won 6-1 last season.


Associated Press