It was truly no treat that Wolfsburg and Sevilla offered the spectators at the Volkswagen Arena in the Wolves’ Champions League return after more than five years. Nevertheless, everything pointed to a VfL victory – but the VAR had something against it.
“We are very disappointed that we only have one point,” said Maximilian Arnold on DAZN immediately after the game. However, he seemed less disappointed than pissed off – pissed off because of the debatable penalty in the 87th minute, which ultimately deprived Wolfsburg of the three points.
“You can whistle a lot of penalties in a freeze frame “
Joshua Guilavogui cleared the ball from Erik Lamela but then hit him on the shin as he swung through with his studs. The game continued, then VAR Kevin Blom sent Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov to the monitor. To the surprise of all Wolfsburg fans, including the 11,733 spectators, the referee pointed to the spot.
“You can’t whistle like that in the Champions League, I’m sorry. I think they used the video evidence for the first time today,” Arnold became clear. He continued: “I have to pull myself together. He only shows him the freeze frame, in the freeze frame you can whistle a lot of penalties. I’m sorry, that’s bottomless. “
“You can also overdo it with the video referee “
In fact, Guilavogui’s action looked much worse in the still image than at real speed. “We deserved to win. I’m not happy with a point. Unfortunately, a decision intervened,” coach Mark van Bommel therefore also judged meaningfully. “Everyone here in the stadium and in front of the TV agrees that it’s not a penalty. And you can also exaggerate about the video referee.”
So Wolfsburg have no choice but to state that they “defended very well” (coach van Bommel) and remain unbeaten in the Champions League. In three weeks’ time, it’s time for the German-Austrian duel with RB Salzburg.