DBasia.news – Two Chelsea players, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thomas Tuchel commented on a foul by Sadio Mane at the start of the match against Liverpool. According to them, Mane should have received a red card.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Thomas Tuchel both criticized the referee for not giving a red card for a foul by Sadio Mane early in the first half. Mane appeared to have elbowed Azpilicueta in the face.
According to the Blues captain, the referee should not hesitate to give a red card to Mane even though the match had only been running for a few seconds. Moreover, he saw no intention of Mane to win the ball.
“It was a clear red card. I don’t mind if it was five seconds after the first kick. One thing that was clear was a red card,” Azpilicueta explained as reported by the Daily Mail.
“He didn’t want to take the ball. He didn’t see the ball and just wanted to hit me with his elbow.”
“The first action that must be taken is clearly a red card. The decision against us could change the game,” added the defender.
Thomas Tuchel said the same thing. He saw no reason for the referee not to provide Mane with a red card.
“They didn’t check VAR. I hate to say it because I don’t like red cards at the start of the game. It could kill the game. The crowd is here to see 11 against 11,” said Tuchel.
“Sadio Mane must always be on the pitch because he is a brilliant player and a good guy. However, it was a red card.”
Meanwhile, the match ended with a score of 2-2. Sadio Mane (9′) and Mohamed Salah (26′) scored for Liverpool. Then, Chelsea responded through Mateo Kovacic (42′) and Christian Pulisic (45+1′).