Granit Xhaka didn’t hold back after the controversial penalty awarded to Bayern Munich in their 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League.
The Swiss midfielder, known for his passion on the pitch, took a swipe at referee Michael Oliver, questioning the fairness of the decision that played a major role in deciding the game.
The Controversial Moment
Bayern Munich’s dominant 3-0 victory over Leverkusen wasn’t without its share of controversy.
The game was still finely poised when referee Oliver pointed to the spot in the 75th minute after a challenge in the box involving Leverkusen’s defender Tapsoba and Harry Kane.
The penalty was given, and Kane made no mistake, putting Bayern in a commanding position with a 3-0 lead.
After the match, Xhaka was quick to voice his frustration.
He argued that in the Premier League, Oliver would never have made such a decision. “In the Premier League, he doesn’t give that.
I spent seven years there and know Michael. I’m convinced he wouldn’t whistle it in the Premier League,” Xhaka said, clearly disappointed with the penalty call.
Xhaka’s Frustration with the Decision
The midfielder, who has a deep understanding of English football, pointed out that such decisions are not typically made in the Premier League.
“There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today it was nothing.
It’s a bit disappointing from him to whistle such a penalty at this level and probably decide the game,” Xhaka added.
His criticism highlighted his belief that if referees started awarding penalties for every block, the game would be filled with too many stoppages.
The Game Before the Penalty
The match was set up to be an exciting European clash, with both teams fighting for supremacy in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen, led by manager Xabi Alonso, had been the form team in Germany, while Bayern, despite boasting a star-studded squad featuring Harry Kane, had not looked as dominant as usual.
Bayern struck early, with Kane scoring in the 9th minute after a well-worked move.
Leverkusen responded with flair, especially from Florian Wirtz, but couldn’t convert their chances.
The game continued to be competitive, with both sides showing moments of quality in possession.
Just when it seemed like Leverkusen could get back into the game, Jamal Musiala made it 2-0 for Bayern.
The Penalty and Fallout
Then came the pivotal moment. Tapsoba was booked for a foul on Kane in the box, and the referee awarded the penalty.
Leverkusen players immediately surrounded Oliver, protesting the decision, while Xhaka, visibly upset, threw his arms up in disbelief.
The protests continued as Jonathan Tah was also shown a yellow card for his reaction to the decision.
The penalty decision was confirmed after a VAR check, and Kane stepped up to seal the game with a cool finish, making it 3-0.
This moment all but sealed Bayern’s path to the quarter-finals, but Xhaka was far from satisfied.
Xhaka’s Criticism of Refereeing Consistency
In the aftermath, Xhaka didn’t hold back his frustrations, not just about the penalty, but about the perceived inconsistency of officiating between leagues.
His comments highlighted how decisions in European competitions don’t always align with the standards seen in the Premier League.
On the other hand, Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso took a more diplomatic approach, acknowledging the disappointment but focusing on the bigger picture.
“I don’t like to speak too much about referees, but it was a soft decision. We were very much in the game before that, and it changed things.
But we have the second leg, and we will fight,” Alonso said, focusing on the challenge of the second leg.
The penalty decision might have been the turning point, but the tie is far from over, and Leverkusen will be determined to fight back in the second leg.
Meanwhile, Xhaka’s candid comments offer an interesting perspective on the varying standards of officiating across different leagues.