Ajax Coach Annoyed by VAR Canceling His Team Goal to Real Madrid Goal

DBasia.news –  The controversy accompanied Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Ajax Amsterdam at Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday (2/14) early morning Western Indonesian Time, in the first leg of the Champions League last 16. In that match the role of the VAR (Video Referee Assistant) was very large.

All the spectators and fans who watched the match agreed Ajax played better than Madrid. Matthjis de Ligt and friends intensified the pressure and stole the ball from the feet of Madrid players, launched attacks, played one-two touches, and dribbled the ball with their individual qualities.

The energy of the quality young players possessed by Erik ten Hag’s care amazed the fans who watched the match. Unfortunately, the lack of efficiency in playing was paid handsomely via goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio in the second half, which was answered by Hakim Ziyech’s goal.

Ajax deserved to score more than one goal in that match, at least they had many chances in the first round. But, VAR is considered to be more profitable for El Real because there are three moments that are not impartial to the host.

One, when Dusan Tadic was supposed to be onside when he received the ball on the left side of the Madrid attack, then the second when Nicolas Tagliafico’s goal was annulled by the referee, and the last when Lucas Vazquez pushed down Frenkie de Jong.

Among the three, the disallowed goal was quite controversial, because Tagliafico headed the rebound which failed to be captured perfectly by Thibaut Courtois. But the referee declared a violation because Tadic prevented the goalkeeper and was in an offside position, despite not actively welcoming the ball.

The first Ten Hag highlighted the hard work of the Ajax players and their inefficiency against the defending Champions League three times in a row.

“I have seen the perfect Ajax team against world-class opponents and one of the best in Europe, Real Madrid. I think in most parts of the game we dominate the game and create some great opportunities,” Ten Hag said in Goal.

“We created opportunities to opportunities at the highest European level against world class teams. The only point of criticism is our lack of efficiency. We should be able to perform better and then score one more goal.”

“If you make a small mistake against a team like Real Madrid that doesn’t know the word mercy, they will punish you. That’s the case today,” Ten Hag stressed.

In the end, the former Utrecht coach regretted Tagliafico’s goal which the referee annulled after seeing VAR. If the goal persists, Ajax will certainly bring valuable capital to be played in the second leg which takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“And then at the VAR moment, which could be a very crucial stage in the competition, goals were disallowed. It was unfortunate that the goal did not last. But all the praise for my team. They followed the plan and played with good spirits,” concluded Ten Hag.