Brazilian players who go to Europe sometimes take time to adapt. Some persist and continue to work on the old continent, while others return to Brazilian football looking for other directions.
But it's not just the ball that dictates the rhythm of football abroad. Cultural issues, cheers and internal and external influences are faced by athletes day after day, as a kind of ‘provement’.
Athletic’s former player, Vitor Roque, seems to be living these ‘tests’ in his early months of Barcelona. The player is fighting for title and trying to adapt to Spanish football.
Last Saturday (3), when entering the second half of the match against Alavés, Vitor Roque scored the third goal of the Catalan team. After the goal, in 7 minutes the player received two yellow cards and was expelled.
Reason for expulsion
The first yellow card was given by Judge Juan Martínez as a result of a dispute that overthrew the rival. The second yellow was controversial: Vitor Roque went to split the ball with Rafa Marín and jumped to avoid the front cart.
Even with the cart having just shaved Marín's leg, the referee applied the second yellow in the Brazilian. In the summary Juan Martínez wrote that he expelled Vitor Roque for "punching with the foot of an opponent in a reckless manner".
O Barcelona attempted an appeal, but the expulsion of Vitor Roque against Alavés was not annulled, with the brazilian having to comply suspension this Sunday (11), against Granada.
Words of Vitor Roque
He had told me: "This is not like Brazil." That's all you said. I said: "But it wasn't a foul." He said: "This is not like Brazil". I simply respected his decision and left the field," Vitor Roque said.
The player of Barcelona He also said in an interview that he did not understand the reason for the second card applied: "I didn't understand at first. It was a move where their defender came with the sole, when I see it, I try to get my foot out, so I don't hurt myself and I don't hit him either. He starts screaming, the referee goes to his and gives the yellow to me – describes the Brazilian".
Vitor Roque also expressed his disappointment at being out of Barça's next game: "I wanted to be in the field to help my comrades, as I've been helping. But now I have to keep my head clear and keep working.", said Roque.
