Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel lamented the linesman’s disastrous late decision to disallow their goal for offside following their painful Champions League exit against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
Bayern defender Matthijs De Ligt believed he had scored the equalizer in stoppage time, but referee Szymon Marciniak had already blown for offside.
Bayern led through Alphonse Davies in the 68th minute, but a quick brace by substitute Joselu defined more Champions League history for the 14-time champions.
With Madrid 1-0 behind and searching for inspiration, Joselu stepped up with goals in the 88th and 91st minutes to seal a third Champions League final in Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure.
“It was a disastrous decision from the linesman and the referee. It feels almost like a betrayal in the end because of that decision. It was a huge fight, we left everything on the pitch. We were almost there. Now we have to say congratulations to Real Madrid.
“The linesman said sorry. The referee does not have to flag; he sees that we win the second ball, he sees that we get a shot away.
“To whistle is a very, very bad decision. It’s against the rules, and it’s a bad decision from both of them. It’s a disaster, tough to swallow, but it is the way it is,” Tuchel told TNT Sports.
De Ligt called the decision to disallow his goal a disgrace. The Bayern defender insists Joselu’s winner was flagged for offside after he had scored, bemoaning that the same law never applied to him. Joselu’s goal was later awarded by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
“I think we all know the rules. If the offside call is not clear, you have to play on! This is the rule! I find it a little bit of a disgrace. The goal of Joselu was also almost offside, and they keep on playing, so why not with us?” De Ligt said.
