Azpilicueta Upset That Sadio Mane Was Only Shown A Yellow Card After Elbowing Him In The Face

JAKARTA - Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta is annoyed with the referee's decision to only give Sadio Mane a yellow card in the Chelsea vs Liverpool match, Monday, January 3 early morning WIB. In fact, according to Azpilicueta, Mane's violation got a red card.

In the meeting between Celsea and Liverpool in the 21st week of the 2021/2020 Premier League at Stamford Bridge Stadium, the match immediately opened with a foul by Sadio Mane against Azpilicueta.

In fact, the violation occurred before the game runs one minute. While fighting for the ball, Mane's elbow hit Azpilicueta's face who immediately fell.

Seeing this incident, the referee immediately rewarded Mane with a yellow card. But for Azpilicueta it was not worth it, according to him, Mane actually deserved a red card for deliberately committing the violation and not seeing the ball when he did his action.

"It (should have been) a clear red (card). I don't mind if it's five seconds into the game, it's the first action and it's a clear red," Azpilicueta was quoted as saying by Sky Sports after the game.

"He (Sadio Mane) didn't see the ball, he just wanted to go forward with his elbow. I honestly don't understand it," Azpilicueta complained again.

Furthermore, Azpilicueta also did not hesitate to express his disappointment to the referee who is considered to be often detrimental to Chelsea in this match.

"We don't see consistency even in the same games, and for me it's clear a decision like this is clear. I watched the replay, but I didn't have to. It was a clear red," said Azpilicueta.

"It was a clear red card. We got a decision against us that could have changed the course of the game," he lamented.

Despite Azpilicueta's anger at the referee's decision for Mane's strong foul, this match had to end in a 2-2 draw for Chelsea and Liverpool. Playing at home, the Blues were able to avenge the visitors' advantage, which had stolen points from the start.

Two points for Chelsea were made by Mateo Kovacic in the 42nd minute and Christian Pulisic in the 45+1 minute. Meanwhile, he scored the Reds, which was made by Sadio Mane in the 9th minute and Mohamed Salah in the 26th minute, so it was meaningless because the hosts were muted.