'It Was A Mistake, Not The Right Decision': RB Leipzig Boss Marco Rose on VAR-Disallowed Goal vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid continue to find themselves amid VAR-related controversies as yet another lucky call went in the way of the Los Blancos, allowing them to secure a gritty 1-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the first leg of their round of 16 fixture in the UEFA Champions League last night.

With the game just kicking off, Leipzig set off into a fiery attack, taking the 14-time champions by surprise to win a quick corner in the second minute.

Following a delivery from David Raum, the corner was punched away by Real Madrid keeper Andriy Lunin, falling into the path of Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager, who bounced the ball into the box as a looming Benjamin Sesko headed it into the back of the net for what seemed to be the opening goal. But, the sideline referee ruled it offside.

It wasn’t the initial decision that sparked controversy though, rather it was once again the VAR referees in the midst of it all.

Every decision goes through a VAR check. And upon reviewing the offside call, it was found that Sesko, who slotted the ball into the back of the net, was onside, and it was infact Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs who was offside.

But, the controversy was not just in a misjudged call, but a rather fickle and controversial one. The reason why the offside call stood was because Henrichs, who was positioned offside but did not come in contact with the ball at all, was adjudges to have been in Lunin’s line of sight and therefore, committed a foul.

Real Madrid, then went on to clinch the tie, thanks to a wondergoal from last-minute injury addition Brahim Diaz, who was taking over Jude Bellingham’s spot in the team for the fixture.

In a post-match conference, RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose voiced out his disdain for the disallowed goal and told reporters that the VAR officials had committed an error in judging the call.

“There was a goal which should have counted” Rose said, explaining “if we were playing a goal up, maybe things would have turned out differently”.

He was not alone in his rebuttal of the referees. In fact, Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos himself supported Rose’s statement and validated his comments.

“He called it offside because he said he obstructed him (Real’s goalie). The goalkeeper would not have got to the ball, so it was a goal,” stated Kroos.

Rose though clarified that his gripe was not with the decision made by the referee in charge, Irfan Pelito, who was inexperienced in the Champions League, but rather stated his desires for such mistakes to not happen again.

“I’m not angry with the referee — I don’t want to start a refereeing debate. It was a mistake. I think we all saw it was not the right decision. I also make mistakes — sometimes two or three per day.

“What’s important is that you fix them — and that you try and do it better next time,” exclaimed Rose.

(with inputs from agencies)