Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino blamed VAR for the key moment in their Champions League exit to Real Madrid. ‘How did they not see that was a foul on Gianluigi Donnarumma?’
The goalkeeper was under pressure from Karim Benzema and made the error, passing to Vinicius Junior, who gave it back to Benzema to score.
Champions League: Donnarumma error sparks PSG collapse in Madrid
It was the moment everything changed, as Real Madrid were still 2-1 down on aggregate after the Kylian Mbappé goals, but this sparked a total psychological collapse from PSG with Benzema completing his hat-trick in 17 minutes.
“It is incredible that VAR did not see the foul on Donnarumma or call the referee to view it again with an on-field review,” Pochettino told RMC Sport and Canal+.
“I don’t understand it, the Benzema foul was clear to see from every conceivable angle. It is impossible to talk about this game without discussing that huge mistake from the referee.
“It is difficult to accept this. It’s incredible that this can still happen in 2022. We dominated the first 60 minutes, that goal changed everything.”
Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sport Italia, Fabio Capello also agreed that the goal changed the game, because “until then Real Madrid were non-existent.”
However, he does not believe it was a foul, as Donnarumma got himself into an avoidable situation.
Real Madrid are back in it all thanks to the work rate of Karim Benzema 😤
Forces Donnarumma into a mistake then gets in the right position to finish!#UCL pic.twitter.com/9CpWZHOpU9
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2022
It was one of those half-fouls. Ideally these shouldn’t be given but many give those fouls in modern football, which is just too soft.
Still, foul or no foul, it was a Dollarumma howler. He should’ve cleared the ball easily.
Pochettino seems like a good fit for Shinter after they sack Inzaghi for finishing 3rd.
@Shcypher and you know this how exactly?
Of course this wasn’t a foul. Pocchettino should remember that with a return ball to the goalie, he doesn’t have the protected status of a goalkeeper. He’s considered a field player, and thus the normal rules for a duel apply. All match, the ref never whistled down any similar “fouls”, and neither should this one. It was fair and square, and Donnarumma just made a stupid mistake. The ref had been solid all match.
I think Pocchettino should look in the mirror, and get a grip on why these 11 individuals are not playing as a teeam, that they struggle with away games all season (lost more than won), and why they get so many goals against.
It’s by far his weakest point – his foot work. Brutal.