Down the pitch, the referee called Leo over.
"That's your warning," he told him firmly.
"You got the ball, but you went through the player as well. Don't give me another one like that."
Leo listened with his eyes fixed on the official's face.
He nodded at the appropriate moments, though his attention had already begun to drift back towards the pitch.
He knew the challenge had been reckless, but he also knew he had stopped a promising United attack.
Both things could be true.
The referee turned away and awarded United a throw-in much to the ire of the United fans in the stadium.
Garnacho was cleared to continue, and the players began moving into position again.
Dalot retrieved the ball and tossed it back to the winger, and like a ghost, Leo was waiting.
The moment Garnacho controlled the throw, Leo came at him again, sliding in with his right leg extended.
Perhaps affected by the earlier challenge, the Argentine hopped away, leaving Leo to reach the ball cleanly.
