Bundesliga: VAR debate superimposed on top game in Frankfurt

Late in the evening in the aisles of the Frankfurt stadium, the impression was that two different Bundesliga games were being discussed.

Bundesliga: VAR debate superimposed on top game in Frankfurt

Late in the evening in the aisles of the Frankfurt stadium, the impression was that two different Bundesliga games were being discussed.

Sober and relieved, the pros from Borussia Dortmund analyzed their 2-1 victory with spectacle, luck and the outstanding goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. A few meters away, those responsible at Eintracht Frankfurt rumbled against the team of referees, the video evidence and an alleged "Punch" theater in the top game of the Bundesliga. The truth lay somewhere in between.

In the "Kölner Keller" obviously incorrectly classified

"If we have this video assistant, then just use it. If you don't use it, my God, then let it be, stamp the basement," demanded Frankfurt's sports director Markus Krösche, surrounded by journalists. In essence, it was a shove from behind by Karim Adeyemi in the 42nd minute against Jesper Lindström, who was ready to score. Referee Sascha Stegemann did not punish him with a penalty, but instead decided on a free kick for BVB because of Lindström's handball. An obvious mistake, as the Dortmund pros admitted.

The fact that Stegemann admitted this in the Sky interview did not make the situation any better from a Frankfurt perspective. "When I now see the pictures with the corresponding camera perspectives, one has to clearly state that there should have been a penalty for Eintracht Frankfurt," said the referee. On the field, however, he could not see a clear foul and also told the video assistant in Cologne. "The situation was checked there and classified as unclear and obviously wrong. That's why the game continued at the end of the day," said the 37-year-old.

You turn referees into puppets

"How can there be a discrepancy?" Asked Frankfurt's board spokesman, Axel Hellmann. "It has to be the same perception. If we impair the sovereignty of the referees with the introduction of VAR because we say there is an authority. But then the authority must also look properly and give a signal." Otherwise you make the referees "Pussy".

While BVB kept close to Bayern thanks to goals from Julian Brandt (21st) and Jude Bellingham (52nd), many negative feelings came together at Frankfurt. Annoyance about missed chances, disappointment about the defeat despite a strong performance and especially the frustration with Stegemann and the staff in the Cologne VAR headquarters, colloquially the "Cologne cellar". "Everyone saw the situation, it's a clear penalty. The referee was let down here," said coach Oliver Glasner. "I hope it comes back the other way."

Adeyemi: "Not a foul for me"

The only audible voice that supported Stegemann's decision on what was actually a great night of football was the sinner Adeyemi himself. "Not a foul for me at all. I don't know, I felt body to body with him The referee was," said the striker, who said he "didn't really care" about the opponent's anger and frustration, at Sport1.

The players and bosses of Eintracht, who also massively pursued the numerous missed chances of goalscorer Daichi Kamada (26th), Lindström, Mario Götze and Randal Kolo Muani, saw this as the crucial scene. "We're the ones who suffer, on other match days it's different. We weaken sovereignty on the one hand and then don't come to a fair assessment. You have to face that," said Hellmann.

Trezic: "It was a lucky win"

The sporting spectacle became a minor matter. The Europa League winner was not only on par with BVB, but also a class better over long stretches. The outstanding Kobel defused numerous Eintracht chances. "I'm disappointed with the result, but very happy with the performance," said Glasner, who is now focusing on the Champions League group final at Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday (9 p.m.). A win - and Eintracht overwinters in the premier class.

With the hard-fought victory, BVB has overtaken Eintracht in the league, but registers the strong Hessians as a serious opponent. "If they play like that, not many teams will win here," said Terzic, who explicitly singled out Kobel and goalscorer Bellingham. His conclusion? "It was a lucky win, but he was awesome."

12th Bundesliga match day Bundesliga table Eintracht Frankfurt squad Borussia Dortmund squad Eintracht votes BVB votes

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