Valencia Coach Marcelino has insisted that VAR needs to be introduced to Champions League football following Manchester United’s late winner against Young Boys.
United managed to seal qualification to the knock-out rounds after Marouane Fellaini scored a controversial last-minute goal to secure three points for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Valencia’s 2018/19 Champions League dreams are over: five things you need to know
- Valencia lost 1-0 to Juventus last night thanks to a second-half goal from Croatian centre-forward Mario Mandžukić.
- The result confirmed the Italians’ progression into the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
- Fellaini’s last-minute goal for United was criticised after replays showed that he had handled the ball prior to scoring.
- United’s win cemented their progression and the expense of Marcelino’s Valencia.
- Valencia can now only finish third in Group H and will drop down to the Europa League after their match at home to United next month.
Marcelino was understandably frustrated with his side’s exit from the competition, especially through avoidable circumstances.
The Valencia boss stressed that it is now time for VAR to become engulfed in the Champions League process due to the importance of playing in such a credible tournament.
Speaking after the match (via Football Italia) Marcelino said: “They did tell me. That’s football. Clearly, the Champions League needs to introduce VAR as well, because it’s necessary in such a big competition, the most important club tournament in the world.”
Juventus are on another level
Aside from supporting the addition of VAR, Marcelino heaped praise upon their opposition for the evening, with the Valencia coach admitting that Juventus are as good as any team in the competition.
“Juventus reached the Final twice in recent years, but are now more experienced and have Cristiano Ronaldo.
“They are at the same level as Real Madrid and Barcelona. In terms of experience, physique and technical quality, they have everything it takes to compete with any team in Europe.”
He also expressed pride in his side despite their exit and reviewed their Champions League journey, admitting that Manchester United’s habit for scoring in the last minute is what made the difference in the end.
“We are sad at the way things went and of being out of the Champions League, but also proud to have been here in the group phase.
“Juventus pushed a lot harder at the start of the second half, they have an extraordinary player like Cristiano Ronaldo and he created the goal.
“My team gave its all and proved it was competitive against one of the favourites to win the Champions League. I am proud of the performance.
“Of course, we can always do better. We deserved to win in Manchester, played the second half badly in Switzerland, but for the rest we did well. That is football, scoring a goal in stoppages and picking up six points the way Manchester United did.”
The post Valencia boss calls for VAR after Man Utd winner v Young Boys appeared first on Squawka News.
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