ATLETICO MADRID STRIKER Mario Mandzukic cleared Real rival Dani Carvajal of biting him in their Champions League clash, but a punch delivered by the Real defender could still cost him a ban.
Mandzukic backed Carvajal’s denials of a bite in a Twitter statement after the bruising quarter final clash encounter on Tuesday night which ended 0-0.
“Yesterday’s match was very hard and both teams gave everything, but for me there was no controversy, no bite, or anything,” the Croat striker said.
“We’re all thinking about Saturday’s match against Deportivo which is very important.”
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Mandzukic ended the Champions League game with a bloodied face after an elbow from Real defender Sergio Ramos.
But his clash with Spanish international Carvajal dominated post-match talk.
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Battling in the penalty area, Mandzukic’s arm is raised to hold back his rival. As Carvajal moves round, his mouth comes close to Mandzukic’s arm and then he lands a punch in the striker’s stomach.
Serbian referee Milorad Mazic was unsighted and Carvajal was extremely lucky not to concede a penalty for the punch. But the images soon dominated social media and Carvajal, who could still face retroactive action by UEFA, was quick to react on his Twitter account.
“I saw after the game that I am accused of biting an opponent player, I want to clarify that I have not bitten anyone, nor attempted to,” he said.
Film from the mixed zone after the game, broadcast by Spanish channel Neox, showed a small mark on Mandzukic’s arm. But there was no way of telling whether it was a bite or a cut.
While Mandzukic’s comments will ease Carvajal’s woes, he could still face action over the punch.
And his absence for the second leg would be a blow for Real Madrid next Wednesday. They will already be without another key defender Marcelo who reached his yellow card limit in the game.
