De Jong Criticizes Carvajal’s Provocation in Tense Clasico

Frenkie de Jong, midfielder for FC Barcelona, has publicly criticized Dani Carvajal of Real Madrid for his provocative behavior towards teammate Lamine Yamal during the recent LaLiga Clasico. The match, held at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium on March 15, 2024, concluded with a tense atmosphere as Real Madrid emerged victorious with a score of 2-1, breaking a streak of four consecutive defeats to their rivals. This win enabled Madrid to extend their lead over Barcelona at the top of LaLiga to five points.

The game was marred by hostility, particularly directed at Yamal, who faced jeers from Madrid supporters throughout the match. This negative reaction stemmed from comments he made earlier in the week, suggesting that Real Madrid benefited from questionable refereeing decisions while still complaining about officiating.

As the match concluded, Carvajal approached Yamal, making gestures that contributed to a scuffle between players. De Jong, addressing the media after the game, expressed his disapproval: “If Carvajal wanted to speak to Lamine, he could do so in private. They’re teammates [with Spain]; they know each other. Why do you have to make a scene on the pitch?”

Yamal had previously stirred tensions by making comments on the Kings League’s YouTube channel, where he likened Real Madrid to one of the league’s teams, prompting an exaggerated response from Madrid players. De Jong defended his teammate, stating, “Lamine didn’t say that they rob, not directly. He’s there doing stuff for the Kings League; people are saying things, but I have not heard Lamine saying exactly that. I can understand Madrid’s players, but the reaction was exaggerated.”

The hostile atmosphere during the match was palpable. Madrid fans booed Yamal when his name was announced before kick-off and continued to whistle at him whenever he touched the ball. Barcelona’s assistant coach, Marcus Sorg, who was filling in for the suspended Hansi Flick, acknowledged the impact of the crowd: “It could be [that], probably a little bit, because he is also learning to deal with the audience, the shouting and whistles from spectators. Normally he’s very motivated and plays well. Today it was not so easy for him.”

On the field, Yamal faced tough challenges from Madrid’s defense, particularly from left-back Álvaro Carreras, who received considerable support from teammates. Sorg emphasized that Yamal is still recovering from a groin injury and needs time to regain his rhythm. “He came from an injury and he needs rhythm, more games at the highest level. It’s normal, he’s 18. We have to give him time, we have to help him, we do it all together.”

Following the match, Real Madrid’s coach, Xabi Alonso, downplayed the confrontations at the end of the game. “It’s the tension of the moment, for them and us,” he noted during a press conference. “These scuffles have always happened, not just in these games. A lot of things were happening in the game. It can be healthy, as long as there’s respect. That is how I saw it anyway.”

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni added that Yamal’s comments served as motivation for the Madrid team in the lead-up to the match, stating, “Personally, I like it. They’re just words; there’s no bad intention. It motivates us a little bit more. If Lamine wants to talk, there’s no problem.”

The match featured several pivotal refereeing decisions, including an overturned penalty for Madrid and three disallowed goals for offside. Ultimately, Madrid secured their victory with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, sandwiching a strike from Barcelona’s Fermín López. The match underscored the ongoing rivalry between these two teams and the intensity that often characterizes their encounters.