Champions League
BVB pushes frustration: referee in the criticism
Dortmund players discuss with referee Danny Makkelie (M). photo
© David Indian song / dpa
The first defeat after ten competitive wins in a row causes frustration at BVB. It wasn’t just for sporting reasons. The referee was criticized after the 0: 2 against Chelsea.
Marius Wolf was inconsolable. With a dark expression, the unlucky Dortmunder commented on the key scene in the round of 16 of the Bundesliga soccer team in the Champions League.
“All in all, it’s very annoying. It’s not intentional, I don’t go to the ball, I have my arm on my body and I turn away,” said the Dortmund full-back after his team’s 0: 2 (0: 1). Chelsea FC the much-discussed hand penalty decision by referee Danny Makkelie. The German national player Kay Havertz (53rd minute) used the penalty in the second attempt for a preliminary decision. The referee’s lack of sensitivity also angered Wolf: “He wouldn’t let himself be talked to. At least I wanted him to explain it to me. Especially with a decision like this.”
The referee lets the penalty be retaken
After a cross from Ben Chilwell, the ball bounced off Wolf’s slightly spread arm, which Makkelie only punished with a penalty after the video assistant intervened. Havertz put the shot to the inside of the post, but was allowed to play again because some BVB players had moved into the penalty area too early. The referee did not take into account the fact that Chelsea pro Chilwell ran into the penalty area earlier. This prompted Emre Can in particular to speak out clearly: “In the end we lost undeservedly, also because of the referee. We play here at Stamford Bridge, maybe he’s afraid of the fans, but then UEFA should send another referee. It’s extremely painful that we’re eliminated because of a referee.”
TV expert and BVB consultant Matthias Sammer expressed his displeasure on Amazon Prime Video in a similarly clear manner: “The penalty and the repetition. It’s a solid scandal. I don’t need a rule guardian either. Makkelie is a very, very arrogant person.” , complained the former Dortmund professional.
The fact that Makkelie acted according to the rules, at least in his decision to have the penalty taken again, was lost in the general excitement. In general, the criticism of the Dutchman was only partially suitable for explaining the knockout, which was annoying for Dortmund. Finally, BVB – unlike in the successful weeks before with ten competitive wins in a row – offered a despondent performance, especially on the offensive. Raheem Sterling (44′) equalized Dortmund’s 1-0 lead from the first leg with his goal shortly before the break. “We were just too passive in the first half. We lacked penetrating power in the first third. If we’re honest with ourselves, we can be happy with the 0-1 break,” confessed central defender Nico Schlotterbeck and brought the dilemma to the table Point: “More would have been possible.”