On Wednesday evening, Bayern Munich fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu, ensuring Real Madrid would progress to the Champions League final on June 1. A 4-3 aggregate scoreline saw Der Rekordmeister come close to recreating the 2013 final at Wembley, but two goals from substitute Joselu left Thomas Tuchel’s side in despair.
Despite taking the lead through a stunning Alphonso Davies strike, Bayern were unable to hold on to their precious lead. Speaking to DAZN after the game, Tuchel commented on Bayern’s elimination:
“It takes a while to digest it. On the other hand, it’s a defeat where we left everything on the pitch. That’s bitter, of course. But it’s also part of the truth that we left everything on the pitch, but there are no regrets.”
“There were a bit too many injuries, a bit too many substitutions, a bit too many cramps. We start with a front four, but then they’re all gone again. Manu, who has been outstanding up to this point, makes a mistake that he won’t make in 100 years. In the end, the cherry on top comes.”
VAR controversy
Nevertheless, it could have been significantly different for the record champions. With almost the last kick of the game, Der Rekordmeister scrambled in an equaliser, just for the referee to blow his whistle, signalling an offside.
As the replays showed, the decision itself was incredibly tight, leaving many to speculate whether play should have been allowed to continue. Regardless, due to the referee’s whistle, VAR was not allowed to intervene, leaving Tuchel incensed:
“It’s a disaster, the decision. Toni’s leg is probably lower than that of Noussair Mazraoui. Absolute disaster. Ask them, imagine when Real Madrid scored their second goal; they let play continue. But that would have been the same. The ball goes out to Toni, and he holds up the flag, and the whistle is blown into the cross. That’s the rule. Especially when it’s so close to the goal, especially when it’s so close.”
“We win the first rebound. The first mistake is made by the referee. Don’t whistle. He can say, ‘Wait a minute; we’re in the penalty area. I’ll wait for the scene, and then we can all watch it together.’ That’s what happened with the second Real goal.”
Nonetheless, it will be Real Madrid that face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, as Bayern miss out on their last chance to lift silverware this season. With a summer of upheaval expected to take place in Bavaria, Bayern will now view next season’s Champions League as the trophy to win, especially with the final taking place at the Allianz Arena.
GGFN | Will Shopland
