Bayern Munich was left frustrated after a potential equalizer by Matthijs de Ligt was ruled out due to an early offside flag in their Champions League semi-final match against Real Madrid. The Bayern chief, Max Eberl, was furious with the decision, despite an apology from the officials. The German team was eventually knocked out 4-3 on aggregate after a dramatic 2-1 defeat, with controversy surrounding the disallowed goal. Eberl expressed his disappointment with the referee’s decision, citing the inconsistency with the offside rule and VAR protocol.
The offside call came in injury-time when De Ligt scored, only for the goal to be disallowed following the flag from the assistant referee. The decision left Bayern seething, with Thomas Tuchel feeling betrayed by the call. De Ligt revealed that the assistant referee had apologized for the mistake, but the admission did little to calm the anger within the Bayern camp. Eberl criticized the decision, stating that everyone knew the rules and that the officiating team failed to follow the procedures correctly. The controversy overshadowed what could have been a historic moment for Bayern in reaching the finals.
Thomas Muller hinted that the partisan crowd at the Bernabeu might have influenced the officials in making the quick decision to disallow the goal. The team’s frustration was evident both on and off the pitch, as they protested the decision vehemently. Despite the apology from the assistant referee and acknowledgment of the mistake, Bayern players and officials were left dissatisfied with the outcome. The incident raised questions about the application of VAR and the consistency in following the rules, especially in crucial moments of the game. The controversy marred what could have been a fair and exciting finish to the semi-final clash.
Bayern Munich’s disappointment was evident in their reactions to the disallowed goal, with the team feeling hard done by the decision. The controversy surrounding the offside call and VAR protocol has sparked a debate about the role of technology in football and the need for more clarity and consistency in decision-making. The anger and frustration expressed by the players and officials reflect the intensity and stakes involved in high-stakes matches like the Champions League semi-finals. The fallout from the incident highlights the importance of fair and accurate officiating in ensuring the integrity of the game and the competition.
