Granit Xhaka hit the referee Michael Oliver for granting a penalty to Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen in his UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday night.
Bayern Munich took a significant step towards the quarterfinals of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, but the match was not exempt from controversy.
The fundamental moment came when referee Oliver gave Bayern a penalty in the second half, which Harry Kane converted. After the game, Xhaka ventilated his frustrations to the media.
The Swiss midfielder, who spent seven years in the Premier League, insisted that Oliver would not have made the same decision in England and said he was “disappointing” see.
'In the Premier League, it doesn't give it. I spent seven years there and I know Michael. I am convinced that he will not whistle in the Premier League, '' said Xhaka Reporters after the game.
'There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today was nothing. It is a bit disappointing of its whistle to whistle such penalty at this level and probably decide the game. If you give a penalty for each block, there would be so many penalties in each game.
Granit Xhaka hit the referee Michael Oliver for giving Bayern Munich a penalty against Bayer Leverkusen in his UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday night
The fundamental moment came when referee Oliver gave Bayern a penalty in the second half, which Harry Kane converted. After the game, Xhaka ventilated his frustrations to the media
The Swiss midfielder, who spent seven years in the Premier League, insisted that Oliver would not have made the same decision in England and said he was “disappointing” see
In the direction of the game, Leverkusen and Bayern were locked in a narrow battle at the top of the Bundesliga, which makes this European shock even more attractive. The Leverkusen side of Xabi Alonso had been the team in the form in Germany, undefeated in the national competition, while the Bayern, despite having the Kane -shaped fire power, had difficulty maintaining its usual dominance.
The game began with Bayern, affirming early, and took the lead in the 14th minute through Leroy Sane. A wide movement saw Musiala launch to the extreme, who passed with Lukas Hradecky to put visitors ahead.
Leverkusen responded well, with Florian Wirtz orchestrating attacks in the center of the field. His patience was worth just before halftime when Wirtz produced a moment of brilliance, curving an effort beyond Manuel Neuer to restore parity.
The second half remained matched, with both parties showing their quality in possession. Then, in the 72nd minute, the moment that would define the game came. When Jamal Musiala made a launch in the box, she seemed to collide with Jonathan Tah. The contact was minimal, but Oliver pointed to the place.
Leverkusen's players were outraged, surrounding the referee in protest, while Xhaka, standing close, threw his arms disbelief. A VAR check confirmed the decision, and Harry Kane took a step forward to fry the penalty, putting Bayern 2-1 forward.
With Leverkusen pressing for an equalizer, Bayern took the most of the counterattack. In the detention time, Kane played again, finishing a quick break to seal a 3-1 victory and put the Bayern command of the tie.
After the game, Xhaka did not try to hide his anger, not only because of the decision itself, but for what he saw as an inconsistency when he officiated between leagues. Meanwhile, Leverkusen's manager, Xabi Alonso, although disappointed, adopted a more measured approach.
Speaking after the game, he said: 'I don't like talking too much about the referees, but it was a soft decision. We were a lot in the game before that, and things changed. But we have the second leg and fight.