“The ball was off the pitch”- Carlo Ancelotti Criticizes Referee and VAR

Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Real Madrid, expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision in the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, stating that their equalizing goal should not have been allowed.

Carlo Ancelotti, insist that the ball crossed the touchline in the build-up to Manchester City’s goal during the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Ancelotti criticized the referee for not utilizing VAR to review Bernardo Silva’s alleged ball crossing the touchline in the lead-up to Kevin De Bruyne’s impressive goal.

Real Madrid took the lead against the flow of play when Vinicius Jr. unleashed a powerful shot, but Kevin De Bruyne responded with an equally stunning strike to bring Manchester City level while they were dominating the game.

Initially, Ancelotti’s team had difficulties dealing with City’s attacks in the first 30 minutes.

However, after scoring the opening goal, they gradually grew into the match and posed more danger in the second half.

During the match, Ancelotti entered the field of play to protest the goal, resulting in him receiving a yellow card from referee Artur Soares Dias.

Despite the match’s conclusion, the Italian coach remained displeased with the officiating.

“The ball was off the pitch,” Ancelotti said.
“The technology said it. I don’t understand why VAR didn’t check it. The referee didn’t pay attention to many things tonight.”

He added, “A good game, an interesting game. Difficult for us in the first half, in the second half it was much better.”

“They controlled possession in the first half but we were in a good control defensively and when we started to play the ball we created a lot of difficulties.”

“You have to stay calm, you have to keep the position defensively, do not go crazy to press, stay there and play the low block, and when we had the opportunity we scored the first goal. [Vinicius Junior] is in a fantastic moment but the team played well.”

“I am satisfied, with a good sensation about the game on Wednesday.”

Real Madrid will need to defeat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in order to progress to the final of the Champions League, which has only been accomplished by Brentford this season, if they want to avoid a penalty shootout.