Tuchel and Bayern fume at ´absolute disaster´ after contentious offside call

Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich were left fuming after Matthijs de Ligt’s contentious late strike was disallowed in their semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.

Bayern crashed out 4-3 on aggregate at Santiago Bernabeu after a dramatic double from substitute Joselu saw the hosts snatch victory to advance to the final on June 1.

Tuchel’s side thought they had forced extra-time when De Ligt had the ball in the net, but the referee had already blown his whistle after the linesman raised his flag, so VAR could not intervene.

The replays showed that the original decision was closer than first thought, and the head coach bemoaned the lack of consistency after Madrid’s second goal was awarded following a VAR review.

“I think it’s pretty clear and there is no doubt that is against the rules of modern football,” he said. “A disaster. An absolute disaster.

“With Real’s second goal, they let the play continue. The clear rule is that the scene must continue. The first mistake was made by the linesman, the second by the referee.”

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— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) May 8, 2024

Bayern had taken the lead through Alphonso Davies at the midway point in the second half, before Joselu’s late intervention denied them a crack at a seventh title against compatriots Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

De Ligt said the linesman had apologised to him after the game.

“[It is] very difficult. Of course, as sportspeople, we accept it,” Tuchel said. “But it is a semi-final, it’s not for two such mistakes.

“Everyone has to be at their limit. The referees have to be there as well. That is what we expect, so the apology does not really help.”