Featured Image Credit: TNT Sports/beIN Sports
Topics: Matthijs De Ligt, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, VAR, Champions League, Football
Marcus Chan
Topics: Matthijs De Ligt, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, VAR, Champions League, Football
An alternative angle of the offside incident during Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Bayern Munich has emerged.
After the first leg ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw in Bavaria, Los Blancos welcomed Bayern to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday night.
With a place in the final against Borussia Dortmund at stake, both teams played out a cagey first half.
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Bayern full-back Alphonso Davies then stunned the Madrid crowd in the 68th minute with a beautiful goal to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
But Thomas Tuchel’s men failed to hold on as two late Joselu goals completed yet another unbelievable Madrid comeback.
Deep into stoppage time, there was a huge moment of controversy after Matthijs de Ligt put the ball in the back of the Madrid net.
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However, the goal was not allowed to stand and the VAR was not able to intervene due to the linesman’s flag and the referee blowing the whistle to stop the match.
Replays showed that the offside decision would have been a close call, with many suggesting the linesman flagged too early.
According to beIN Sports, Noussair Mazraoui was in fact onside in the build-up to De Ligt’s effort and the goal would have counted.
De Ligt was the first Bayern player to comment on the incident after the match, he said: “I don't want to say that Real Madrid always has the referees with them but that made the difference today.
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“Real, when you think they are dead, have a last breath… that is why they have 14 Champions Leagues.”
Tuchel then confirmed that the linesman apologised to him after the match.
The German said: “The linesman said sorry, but that doesn't help at that kind of level. To raise the flag in a close decision in the last minute, and the referee as well, he does not have to whistle.
“It's a very, very bad decision and it's against the rules. Tough to swallow, but that's the way it is.”
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Madrid will take on Dortmund in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1.