Holders Bayern Munich booked their place in the Champions League’s quarter-finals, despite Arsenal earning a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s last 16, second-leg clash. PHOTO: AFP
Holders Bayern Munich booked their place in the Champions League’s quarter-finals, despite Arsenal earning a 1-1 draw in Bavaria in Tuesday’s last 16, second-leg clash.
The Gunners finished with ten men in London after Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli sent off goalkeeper Szczesny for a foul on Robben. “Overall in the two games what made the difference was the decision to send our goalkeeper off,” said Wenger.
“I felt it was not a red card as simple as that. Robben is very good at getting something out of nothing, he’s a good diver, but that’s part of his game. We wanted to come out of that tie qualified, but we came up short.”
Robben angrily rebuked Wenger’s diving claims.
“I expect more of great managers, they don’t need to resort to claims like that,” said the Dutch winger. “I don’t want to have to defend myself against remarks like that.”
Guardiola satisfied with team’s performance
Bayern boss Pep Guardiola was pleased that his side restricted Arsenal’s scoring chances - only Olivier Giroud’s header and Podolski’s thunderbolt truly troubled the hosts defence.
“We were able to minimise our errors, we played intelligently and at a very high level, I am very satisfied,” said the Spaniard.
“Arsenal had a chance in the first half, but we wanted to control the game and we succeeded.
“Apart from the goal, which might have been whistled as a foul, but nothing happened.”
Podolski shoved Bayern captain Philipp Lahm off the ball before his second-half equaliser, but the Germany star said his challenge was legitimate. “The referee didn’t blow his whistle, so the matter is closed,” said Podolski.
“We can discuss these little aspects over and over again, but at the end of the day, we are out. It’s always difficult coming back from 2-0 down against one of the best teams in the world.”
Simeone open to all Spanish quarters
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone welcomed the possibility of meeting La Liga rivals Real Madrid or Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after his side thrashed AC Milan 4-1 in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Wednesday to progress 5-1 on aggregate.
“We will wait until the opponent comes out of the hat. It doesn’t bother me at all if it is a Spanish team,” he said. “We will continue with humility as we always do and you can’t choose who you play. All we can do is relax and recuperate.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2014.
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