Real Madrid have done it again! The champions of Spain are very well on their way to becoming the champions of Europe.
In an electrifying encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, Carlo Ancelotti ‘s men once again mustered the courage to pull off an unbelievable comeback in the final minutes of the game. However, Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt‘s post-match comments have hinted at controversy.
Two quick goals from substitute Joselu put Bayern Munich on the verge of elimination. As if to make a final attempt to get back into the game, Bayern launched one final pass into the final third. While De Ligt ended up converting the chance, the referee blew for offside moments before the play was even made.
Almost every other Bayern player swarmed the referee to protest his decision. Following the game, Matthijs De Ligt said that the linesman apologized for his ‘wrong’ decision.
Matthijs de Ligt: “The linesman told me: sorry, I made a mistake”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2024
“It’s been a shame”, told @beINSPORTS_EN.pic.twitter.com/X4sjFu5As7
It's a shame. It's a disgrace. If you don't check it, how can you see it? (Offside). The linesman told me I'm sorry, I made a mistake Matthijs de Ligt said in a post-match interview
The defender also labeled the error as a disgrace and a big mistake from the officials. Had the goal stood, De Ligt’s goal would have forced the game into extra-time.
Thomas Tuchel was every Bayern Munich fan when he had a go at the match officials for the decisions made in the final minutes of the game. Speaking in particular of the ‘offside’ incident in which Matthijs de Ligt scored, Tuchel felt that the officials’ decision was poorly made.
The frustration and criticism comes from an understanding that a close call shouldn’t have been flagged down and that play should’ve been allowed to continue. However, as soon as the final pass to De Ligt was made, the linesman raised his flag, instantly followed by the whistle from Szymon Marciniak.
Thomas Tuchel on the offside case: “It was a disaster. An absolute disaster and it’s clear violation of the rules”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 8, 2024
“The clear rule is that the scene must continue. The first mistake was made by the linesman, the second by the referee”. pic.twitter.com/22CMHNvpEy
It's an absolute disaster and a clear violation of the rules. The clear rule is that play must continue. The first mistake was made by the linesman and the second by the referee Thomas Tuchel said in a post-match interview
Bayern scored the first goal of the game, but were surprisingly trailing thanks to two very late goals from Joselu. Madrid will now play Borussia Dortmund in the final on June 2nd, with a chance to claim a historic 15th title!
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!