Absolute disaster”: Bayern’s Thomas Tuchel slams late offside call in Champions League defeat

Bayern Munich‘s coach Thomas Tuchel (50) didn’t hold back as he criticized a late offside call, branding the decision an “absolute disaster” following Real Madrid‘s elimination of his team in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

In a tense match where Real emerged victorious 2-1, courtesy of two late goals, Bayern Munich thought they had equalized in the dying moments when Matthijs de Ligt found the net after receiving a pass from Thomas Mueller, initiated by Joshua Kimmich’s long ball, during the 12th minute of stoppage time.

However, the jubilation was short-lived as the linesman raised his flag, disallowing the goal even before a VAR review could take place. An incensed Tuchel expressed his frustration with the decision, describing it as “a disaster, an absolute disaster,” during a post-match interview with broadcaster DAZN. He argued that the officials should have allowed the action to unfold fully before making a judgment call, especially given the proximity of the incident to the goal.

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Echoing his coach’s sentiments, De Ligt, the thwarted goalscorer, deemed the decision as pivotal in determining the outcome of the match. He expressed incredulity at the referee’s decision not to let the play continue, emphasizing the impact it had on the final result.

Bayern’s captain, Manuel Neuer, echoed the disappointment felt by his team, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He suggested that the referee may have acted too hastily in making the call and acknowledged that such decisions could significantly influence the outcome of high-stakes matches like the Champions League semi-finals.

In the aftermath of the match, Tuchel, De Ligt, and Neuer all voiced their frustration at the controversial offside call, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny and adherence to protocol in critical moments of the game.