Bayern Munich’s coach Vincent Kompany expressed his frustration regarding a yellow card he received during their spectacular Champions League progression against Real Madrid.
«I don’t think the decision was correct. When you look at what happens on the field, how many people are complaining and what they are saying,» Kompany stated after FCB’s 4-3 victory on Wednesday evening.
Kompany was cautioned by referee Slavko Vincic shortly before halftime due to his protests immediately after Kylian Mbappé’s goal, which temporarily made it 3-2 for Real Madrid. The Bayern coach was agitated because his defender Josip Stanišić was lying on the ground in Real’s half after a painful challenge by Antonio Rüdiger during the build-up to the goal. Stanišić continued to writhe on the turf for a short while even after the goal.
«I always try to be respectful, and I was here too. It’s normal that I say something. Our player is on the ground, and then he almost gives a high five!» Kompany elaborated, criticizing Rüdiger’s behavior in the incident. «I love him as a defender; I would do exactly the same. We understand each other, but it’s completely normal that I say something. And the yellow card came much too quickly for me!»
Meanwhile, Stanišić complained after the match that Rüdiger’s tackle should have been deemed a foul, meaning Real’s third goal would not have happened. «He sees me coming and just goes into me. In the past, you’d just let advantage play and then call a free kick if you lost the ball. Maybe the referee forgot that rule, I don’t know,» said the Croatian international.
While he was on the ground in pain, Rüdiger had also bent down and said some seemingly unpleasant words to him. «I don’t need to talk about what happened when I was on the ground. You can ask Toni about it. But in my opinion, something like that is completely unacceptable,» Stanišić commented cryptically. He then added, «Only one word was said – and twice. But you can ask him yourself what he said. Maybe he’s man enough to admit it!»
As this was Kompany’s third yellow card of the current Champions League season, he will have to serve a suspension in the semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain at the end of April and will therefore not be allowed on the sidelines for the first clash with the reigning champions.
When asked about the yellow card suspension, the 40-year-old Belgian took it calmly: «I am happy. The lads deserved this. Then the first game will be without me on the line.» Nevertheless, Kompany reiterated his concern: «In this new league format, there are so many games, and yet it is so strict with three yellow cards.»
Already at the press conference before the second leg against Real on Tuesday, Kompany had advocated for UEFA to adjust its regulations on yellow card suspensions in the Champions League. With the current approach, it is «very difficult» to get through a Champions League season without a suspension. «Three yellow cards for a centre-back – if you get this far and have only received three, you have done a good job. Nevertheless, you can be suspended for the semi-final, which I find quite harsh,» said Kompany.
After a fatal backpass from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Bayern fell behind 0-1 in the first minute in the atmospheric Allianz Arena because Arda Güler ruthlessly exploited Neuer’s mistake. Shortly thereafter, Aleksandar Pavlović equalized, before Güler again put the Madrid team ahead with a spectacular free-kick goal just before the half-hour mark. Harry Kane equalized to make it 2-2 in the 38th minute, and four minutes later, Mbappé scored the halftime score.
As extra time was already looming (Bayern had won the first leg in Madrid 2-1), FCB secured their progression after regular time in a turbulent final phase. Real had to play with ten men from the 86th minute after a controversial second yellow card for Eduardo Camavinga, which led to heated protests. Just about three minutes later, Bayern converted their numerical advantage into the decisive 3-3 through Luis Díaz, and with the last action, Michael Olise scored the final 4-3 scoreline.
Bayern will also play away in the first leg of the semi-final, facing Paris Saint-Germain at the end of April without Kompany on the sidelines. PSG will come to Munich for the return leg on May 6th. In a potential final, either FC Arsenal or Atletico Madrid would await FCB.