Real Madrid v Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon unhappy with referee Michael Oliver
- Published
Gianluigi Buffon was given his first red card in the Champions League
Referee Michael Oliver has "a bag of rubbish for a heart", says Gianluigi Buffon after Juventus were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.
English official Oliver awarded an injury-time penalty to Real for Mehdi Benatia's foul on Lucas Vazquez and Buffon was sent off for his reaction.
"It was certainly a dubious incident. Not clear-cut," Buffon told Italian TV.
Buffon also told Italian media that Oliver should "sit in the stands eating crisps" for "ruining a dream".
'He had to understand the disaster he was creating'
Real had led 3-0 after the first leg, but saw their advantage wiped out at the Bernabeu through two Mario Mandzukic headers and Blaise Matuidi's opportunistic strike after Keylor Navas' error.
But with the tie heading to extra time, Oliver adjudged Juve defender Benatia guilty of bringing down Vazquez in the box and pointed to the spot.
Cristiano Ronaldo then stepped up to coolly place the 97th-minute penalty into the top corner.
Buffon took his protestations too far and was given his first Champions League red card on his 650th appearance for Juve.
The Juve captain said after the game: "It was a tenth of a penalty.
"I know the referee saw what he saw, but it was certainly a dubious incident. Not clear-cut. And a dubious incident at the 93rd minute when we had a clear penalty denied in the first leg, you cannot award that at this point.
"The team gave its all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.
"Clearly you cannot have a heart in your chest, but a bag of rubbish. On top of that, if you don't have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, having your drink and eating crisps.
"You cannot ruin the dreams of a team. I could've told the referee anything at that moment, but he had to understand the degree of the disaster he was creating.
"If you can't handle the pressure and have the courage to make a decision, then you should just sit in the stands and eat your crisps."
'I knew I would be decisive'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 41 goals for Real Madrid this season
Holders Real reached the last four for the eighth consecutive season, joining Liverpool, Roma and Bayern Munich in Friday's draw in Nyon.
Star man Ronaldo made the decisive contribution, scoring his 41st goal of the season and netting in his 11th straight game.
"I don't understand why they are protesting," said Portugal captain Ronaldo.
"Lucas was tackled from behind and if they don't give him the penalty, it is a goal.
"The pulse increased, but I calmed down, and I knew I would be decisive."
'I never thought we were going out'
Zinedine Zidane won the 2002 Champions League as a player with Real Madrid
Real boss Zinedine Zidane has guided the Spanish side to back-to-back Champions League crowns, as well as a La Liga title since taking over in 2016.
The Frenchman said: "They [Juventus] played well in the first leg and perhaps deserved a goal. Today it was the same for us.
"They scored early on like we did there and this is football. The Champions League is the creme de la creme and anything can happen.
"We were always going to suffer and be pressed high. They did that and played wonderfully well and their coach's plan worked.
"I never thought we were going out, I am a positive thinker. I never believed we weren't going through."
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri added: "Games like these are great moments against the biggest clubs in the world. We want to be the best.
"Sometimes things go for you, and other times they don't. We need to get over this hard moment and move forwards."
- Published12 April 2018
- Published11 April 2018
