Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, who will depart at the end of this season, was infuriated after being denied a last-gasp equalizing goal in the closing moments of their hotly contested UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The chalked-off goal from defender Matthijs de Ligt was disallowed following the linesman’s controversial decision to raise his flag – which replays showed to be premature. “We scored one, and it’s a disastrous decision from the linesman and referee,” the Bayern manager said.
“It feels almost like a betrayal in the end because of that decision. “The linesman said sorry – that does not help. To raise the flag in a decision like this, in a close decision in (at) the last minute.
“And the referee as well, the referee does not have to whistle. He sees that we win the second ball. “To whistle, it’s a very, very bad decision and it’s against the rules. It’s a bad decision for both of them, it’s a disaster. Tough to swallow.”
“The linesman says sorry but that does not help. To raise the flag in a moment like this… The referee sees we get the second ball and we get the shot. “It’s hard to swallow but that’s the way it is.”
Tuchel later confirmed referee Szymon Marciniak also apologized but that it “does not help” with Real in the final. “Everyone has to go to their limit, everyone has to suffer, everyone has to play without making mistakes. So the referee has to be at that level too,” said Tuchel.
Hear what Tuchel had to say here: