Julián and the 'Panenka' Penalty: What Would Luis Have Thought?
The Madrid derby left a memorable play: a ‘Panenka-style’ penalty by Julián Alvarez that opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabéu. The goal, which ultimately did not lead to victory after Real Madrid’s equalizer in the second half, has generated debate among the rojiblancos.
Rubén Cano, a legend of Atlético de Madrid, has even wondered what Luis, presumably referring to Luis Aragonés, would have thought if he had witnessed such audacity. ‘I would have liked to be in the locker room with Luis as coach, when he saw Julián chip the penalty…
I honestly don’t know what he would have said,’ Cano commented, suggesting that the legendary coach’s reaction might have been anything but calm. Recalling Luis’s reactions to Luis Pereira’s risky plays, Cano imagined a possible reprimand in the locker room.
‘If Luis Pereira went dribbling in the penalty area, his balls would have been in a tie. I don’t know what he would have said’. Beyond the final result, Julián’s audacity from the penalty spot has revived anecdotes from the past and has shown that, even in a high-tension derby, there is room for surprise and football debate. What is certain is that Julián’s goal, beyond its effectiveness, is already part of the club’s recent history.
