Sport Mediaset Referee pundit Graziano Cesari insists it was legitimate to disallow Benjamin Sesko’s goal against Real Madrid as Benjamin Henrichs interfered with play, contrary to Marcus Thuram in Roma–Inter.
RB Leipzig thought they had taken the lead in a Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, but Sesko’s goal was disallowed due to Henrichs’ offside.
It was reminiscent of Francesco Acerbi’s goal in Roma-Inter on Saturday but in that case, the defender’s goal stood despite Thuram being behind the Giallorossi keeper Rui Patricio.
However, there was a key difference between the two as explained by referee pundit Cesari, a former Serie A official, to Sport Mediaset.
“Henrichs pushed Lunin, so it was okay to disallow Sesko’s goal,” the ex-referee said.
“Thuram, on the other hand, never disturbed Rui Patricio or Mancini and didn’t interfere with a potential goalkeeper save. Henrichs interfered with play, Thuram didn’t.”
Real Madrid eventually secured a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from ex-Milan midfielder Brahim Diaz. After the final whistle, the Spaniard said he had had a great time at San Siro.
Lazio are the first Serie A club involved in the Champions League knock-out stage, meeting Bayern Munich Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico tonight,