Wenger accuses Bayern of cynical tactics

Gunners manager believes red card to Szczesny ‘killed’ the game.

LONDON:

Arsene Wenger, accused Bayern Munich of resorting to cynical tactics as 10-man Arsenal were left facing elimination from the Champions League after a 2-0 defeat against the holders.

Wenger’s side are on the verge of crashing out of Europe’s elite club competition in the last 16, at the hands of Bayern for the second successive season following a frustrating first leg loss at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The result was hard to take for Gunners boss, Wenger who was infuriated by what he perceived as Bayern’s theatrical attempts to influence the referees by making the most of any contact from Arsenal players.

Wenger’s rant seemed harsh on Bayern, who made their class tell after an early wobble when Mesut Ozil’s penalty was saved by Manuel Neuer before Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off for conceding a spot-kick with a foul on Arjen Robben.

“Robben made more of it,” Wenger said. “He has enough experience to make the most of it and Bayern made the most of every single contact.”

“We are not used to that in England. Fouls were given that are not given in the Premier League. The referee made a decision with the penalty that killed the game.”

Guardiola supports referee’s decision

Bayern boss Guardiola wouldn’t be drawn on Wenger’s criticism, but he felt Rizzoli made the right decision with Szczesny’s red card.

“I don’t answer my colleagues,” he said. “I saw it on television, it is a penalty. When it is the last man the rule is it should be a penalty and a red card, which changed the game for us.”

Guardiola finally got his first win as a manager at Arsenal, but he warned his players not to rest on their laurels in the return.

“We showed patience when faced with nine defenders. Now we have to focus on the second leg. If we just go to defend the result everything can happen, so we have to be careful.” He said.

While Bayern will be firm favourites to finish the job in the second leg in Munich on March 11, the Gunners did win 2-0 there last season, although that result wasn’t enough to stop them bowing out on goal difference.

Seedorf believes in Milan come-back

AC Milan coach Clarence Seedorf said the Italians’ Champions League quarter-final bid is far from over despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to high-flying Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Milan had kept Diego Simeone’s side on a tight leash throughout a dramatic encounter at the San Siro but paid the price for hitting the woodwork three times in an enthralling first-half.

As the Rossoneri tired, Atletico striker Diego Costa headed an 83rd minute winner just inside Christian Abbiati near post after defender Ignazio Abate had headed a corner towards the back post.

Former Milan great Seedorf, in his first Champions League game as coach, applauded Milan’s efforts and said the tie is not over yet.

“On the whole lads showed a lot of spirit and determination and I also saw some great individual performances,” said the Dutchman.

“At the end we were tired and we perhaps paid for our efforts. It’s a positive result for them but the tie is not over. I know the Vicente Calderon (stadium) well but the stadium also knows me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2014.

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