CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Ancelotti’s argument with referee

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti explains his argument with a referee during their UCL clash with Manchester City that got him a yellow card.

The Champions League semifinal between Real Madrid and Manchester City on Tuesday ended in a 1-1 tie, but Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti thinks his side should have won it.

What happened between Ancelotti and the referee?

During the second half of the game, Madrid was up 1-0 on a strike by Vinicius Jr. It was Kevin De Bruyne who responded with a goal of his own to tie up the game and leave it anyone’s game going into the second leg. But that goal, Ancelotti says, should not have been awarded. He was standing close to the field when he says the ball went out of bounds leading up to the score, but the officials didn’t call it and waved away the appeals.

“It went out. That’s not me saying it, it’s the technology saying it,” said Ancelotti after the game. “I think it’s strange that [the referee] didn’t control it properly because we could have won 1-0.”

Ancelotti and Luka Modric were both frustrated in the moment and complaining to the refs. However, the ref gave the yellow card to Ancelotti.

“I said, ‘give them to the players who deserve cards on the field, not off the field,’” said Ancelotti. “He wasn’t paying a lot of attention.”

Ancelotti said that the 3D technology from BeIn Sports showed the ball going out - not the VAR technology and is convinced the goal should not have stood. Regardless, he’s pleased with his team and how they played against a tough City team..

“Defensively we were good. Rudiger against Haaland did really well,” he said. “The midfield covered the position in front of the defense well. We are satisfied. Sometimes the result doesn’t give you credit, but the performance was really good.

“We are happy and we have strong motivation for the next game.”

The Champions League semifinal second leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid will be played on Wednesday, May 17 at 3 p.m. ET at the Etihad.