Controversy mars Bayern Munich's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid

Bayern Munich's hopes were dashed in a controversial Champions League semi-final clash against Real Madrid, with manager Thomas Tuchel expressing deep frustration over the decisions made by officials.

The disputed decision

In the dying moments of the match, with Bayern trailing 2-1, Matthijs de Ligt appeared to have scored an equalizer. However, assistant referee Tomasz Listkiewicz had already raised his flag for offside, leading to the play being stopped. Replays suggested that the decision might have been incorrect and warranted a review by the video assistant referee (VAR). Tuchel condemned the decision, stating that it felt like a betrayal and went against the rules of the game.

Manager and player reactions

Tuchel criticized the officials for their role in the controversy, asserting that apologies from them did little to alleviate the situation. Referee Szymon Marciniak, who officiated the 2022 World Cup final, also apologized, but Tuchel emphasized the need for officials to perform at their best throughout the game. Meanwhile, Netherlands defender De Ligt revealed that Listkiewicz apologized for his error after the match, highlighting the significance of adhering to the rules of football.

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, whose mistake led to Real Madrid's equalizer, expressed his disappointment at the outcome, acknowledging the bitter feeling of being knocked out after leading for much of the match. Despite the error, Tuchel defended Neuer, recognizing the rarity of such mistakes from the experienced goalkeeper.