The Bundesliga starts its new season with an exciting game: After a 90-minute back and forth, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Bayern part ways with a draw. Both are happy about the point, especially in Gladbach.
The 59th Bundesliga season starts with a treat: Borussia Mönchengladbach against FC Bayern, pure tradition, many spectators in one of the nicer stadiums of the league and a thrilling game that goes straight to the end and ends 1: 1 . “Not a typical 1: 1”, as Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said afterwards, because both teams could have scored three or four goals. They are satisfied with the result in Munich, the other side is also satisfied with the point. But the anger after the game is great. Because there is quite a consensus that Mönchengladbach was brought down at least one penalty in the final phase.
There was this situation in the 81st minute: Gladbach’s right-back Stefan Lainer sent Jonas Hofmann on the trip, the national player gave the ball inside, where striker Marcus Thuram would have been ready to shoot – had it not been for Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano to fall. Newcomer Upamecano had initially worked on Thuram with his hands on the upper body on the way to the goal, there was also a contact on the leg, which finally brought Thuram to the ground. The due penalty whistle from referee Marco Fritz did not materialize – and to the amazement of most observers, the intervention of the video referee.
“Simply unbelievable”
Former top referee Babak Rafati thought it was an absurdity. “The defender is clearly preventing the striker from getting into a promising position. He’s holding him slightly and thereby throwing him off balance. And then there is the contact on the leg. I can understand that the referee did not make this foul sees that he has to concentrate on the player in charge of the ball. But that the video referee waves this situation through is simply unbelievable. You can’t sell that to anyone, “said Rafati.
“That is a clear goal when Thuram is through. The VAR has to intervene, then you look for 15 seconds and then you realize that it is a clear foul,” complained Gladbach’s captain Lars Stindl. “That’s a penalty for me,” said the veteran at DAZN to the scene: “He pulls him up. He hits him down. Yes, madness. We’re not opening the subject now. Maybe we’ll be lucky again this year and get penalties. “
For ntv.de referee expert Alex Feuerherdt the situation is completely clear: “The first scene should have given a penalty,” said Feuerherdt Sky. Thuram does not fall in this scene for no reason, “not because Upamecano held him up a bit, but because he tripped him below. As a result, Thuram ran into himself and fell.” Even Bayern player Leon Goretzka was surprised: “I don’t think we can complain when it is whistled.” And Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann had an inkling even before he saw the pictures: “It was two very intense actions with two very, very robust guys,” said the 33-year-old. “When there is so much discussion about it, it is usually a sign that it can be given.”
“Penalty would not have fit here”
It didn’t stop at the one – not so controversial – scene. A few moments after the first Gladbach outrage settled on the field, Thuram was lying on the ground again directly in front of the Munich goal, brought down by Dayot Upamecano. Thuram had stolen the ball from his French compatriot and claimed it in front of the goal. And then went to the ground. “For me it was of course penalties. You can give the second one,” said the winger, who followed the scene from the sideline: “I see a contact from the bench. I think if the referee decides on a penalty, then it stops, “said Gladbach’s replaced winger Patrick Herrmann, describing the duel.
But Fritz didn’t whistle, and there was no signal from the Cologne cellar either. Again to the annoyance not only of the Gladbacher, but also of ex-top referee Rafati. “The defender deliberately took the risk of touching the attacker in the penalty area. He hits him clearly, which means Thuram falls – even a clear penalty, and action is required. In such situations, you always have to ask yourself why Striker in such a good position should just drop, “said Rafati. Stindl commented rather calmly: “It’s difficult for me to say something now. You can give two penalties even without Gladbach glasses.”
Ex-Bayern professional Sandro Wagner decided as an expert on the broadcasting station DAZN: “I found the first one clearer, but yes, that’s enough. I found the first one clearer, but let’s put it this way: very, very, very much Lucky for FC Bayern Munich in the two situations, ”said the former national player.“ The first one is very clear, the second: the tendency is also clear. I just don’t understand why the referee doesn’t watch it again. “
“I find it questionable”
Basically, Jonas Hofmann, who had initiated the first controversial scene with his flank. “I didn’t even see that he grabbed his ear that he got any hint. I find that a bit questionable, and of course that generally questions the video assistant,” said the offensive player on Sat.1. It is “bitter when you come into the dressing room, look at the cell phone and read a number of messages that say that there were two clear penalties,” he continued to annoy after the game at Sport1.
Borussia coach Hütter was also astonished: “Marco Fritz had to rely on the video referee Cologne. It’s funny that he didn’t send him outside to watch the scene. But complaining doesn’t help now, he didn’t give him . ” Nagelsmann did not want to go along with doubts about the VAR: “I think that if we have video evidence, it is fair. The audience makes the subjective perception a bit more extreme,” said Nagelsmann.
Hütter picked up the yellow card after the first missed penalty, but calmed down quickly. “In the heat of the battle I saw the yellow one, but maybe you understand the coach’s thoughts if you could almost have scored the winning goal. But I apologized to the fourth and the referee when I go into the dressing room I could have a coffee with him. ”
Hütter, who was on the line for the first time as coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga, did not want his league debut to be spoiled too badly: “It was sometimes a ride on a razor blade, because both teams just keep following played up front, but I liked a lot of things, “said the man from Vorarlberg in an interview with ARD. “I think it’s a great soccer game.” And after analyzing the two bitter scenes, Stindl rejoiced that he had seen “fireworks” and said: “From the leg work, from the attitude, from the audience, it was finally another really awesome, successful evening at Borussia-Park . ” Despite the anger.
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