The referee of the first leg of the Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club in San Mamés awarded a penalty that defined the result, and both teams have expressed their position on the controversial play. The penalty, taken by Aramburu against Nico Williams, was scored and decided the match, but the decision has generated debate among fans and management.
The Real Sociedad coach, Igor Terzic, did not remain silent after the game. In a post-match interview with DAZN, he acknowledged that, although he doesn't talk about referees in general, he felt the decision was in his favor. "I said on the first day that I am not talking about referees. But today I have the feeling of having benefited from a decision," Terzic commented, adding that Nico's play was legitimate and that the provocation of a penalty was justified. “You have to ask the referee the rest,” he concluded, stressing that the entire season will show mixed results for the club.
For his part, Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón adopted a more moderate tone. From his position, he observed the action 70 meters away and stated that “it seems to me that he touched the ball.” Unlike Terzic, Simón did not question the decision, but instead showed confidence in the VAR and the referee authority. "I haven't seen it repeated, eh, but I trust the VAR and the referees. And I understand that if they have made the decision it is because that is how it is," he explained, showing a posture of acceptance.
The penalty, which was taken by Aramburu, became the decisive point of the match, with Real Sociedad winning 1-0. The play, which involved a provocation by Nico Williams, was analyzed in real time by the VAR, which led to the confirmation of the penalty. The controversy was not limited to the referee; Athletic members also expressed doubts about the decision, although the club as a whole accepted the result.
With the result, Real Sociedad maintains its position in the table, while Athletic must seek to recover in its next campaign. The match made it clear that, although VAR can confirm decisions, the perception of players and coaches remains crucial in the interpretation of plays. The upcoming games for both teams will be crucial in determining how the season will play out and whether the penalty controversy will continue to be a topic of discussion.