Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel expressed his frustration over a late offside call that cost his team in their Champions League semi-final second leg match against Real Madrid. Despite Real Madrid coming from behind with two late goals, Bayern Munich managed to equalize with a goal that was ultimately ruled out due to the offside call. Tuchel criticized the decision, calling it an “absolute disaster” and felt that the referee and linesman did not follow the rules properly.
The controversial moment occurred in the 12th minute of stoppage time when Joshua Kimmich played a long pass that was headed centrally by Thomas Mueller and eventually scored by defender Matthijs de Ligt. However, the linesman raised his flag before the ball went into the net, resulting in the goal being disallowed without a VAR review. Tuchel was visibly upset by the decision and believed that the officials made a crucial mistake that ultimately affected the outcome of the match.
Tuchel felt that the referee and linesman should have let the action play out until the end, especially in such a critical moment near the goal. He emphasized the importance of consistency and accountability from all parties involved in the match, including the officials. Despite receiving an apology from the referee after the match, Tuchel believed that it was not enough to rectify the situation, as the officials are expected to perform at their best level without making excuses.
Goalscorer Matthijs de Ligt also expressed his disbelief at the decision, stating that he found it incredible that the referee did not allow the action to play out. De Ligt felt that the call made the difference in the match and suggested that it may have been a deciding factor in Real Madrid’s victory. Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer also voiced his disappointment with the decision, suggesting that the referee should have taken more time to consider the situation before making a quick judgment.
In the aftermath of the match, Tuchel, De Ligt, and Neuer all shared their disappointment at the outcome and the impact of the controversial officiating decision. Despite their frustration, they acknowledged that such situations are part of the game and that they must continue to focus on performing at their best in future matches. The incident served as a reminder of the importance of fair and consistent officiating in high-stakes competitions like the Champions League, where the margin for error is minimal.
