MX23RW : Monday, April 22 09:17:15| >> :600:351725:351725:

Mauricio Pochettino remains wary of VAR despite Champions League reprieve

Pochettino remains wary of VAR despite Spurs reprieve
© Reuters
Raheem Sterling's late goal for Manchester City was disallowed for offside against Sergio Aguero.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is still worried about VAR, despite the system sending his side through to the Champions League semi-final.

Spurs edged out Manchester City on away goals after a thrilling night at the Etihad Stadium saw the quarter-final tie end 4-4 on aggregate after City's 4-3 victory.

Unbelievably, five goals in the opening 21 minutes were not the story of the game as the two decisive moments came courtesy of VAR in the final 20 minutes.

First Fernando Llorente's crucial third goal for Spurs, which turned out to be the one to send them through, was allowed to stand after referee Cuneyt Cakir checked footage and ruled that the striker had not handled the ball prior to it hitting his hip and going in.

That drama was nothing compared to what happened in injury time as City thought they scored the goal they needed when Raheem Sterling struck from close range.

The scenes of celebration resembled those that followed Sergio Aguero's famous Premier League title-winning goal in 2012, but the mood soon turned sour as replays showed Aguero was marginally offside in the build-up and it was chalked off.

Spurs' players, who were previously crestfallen on the floor, were now punching the air as City fans were in stunned silence.

Pochettino, whose side conceded a penalty via VAR in last week's first leg, has had misgivings about the review system in the past and they still remain.

"I didn't watch. I promise, I didn't watch," he said of the replays.

"It is difficult after the game to be relaxed or calm. You need to trust in the VAR when it is against or for you.

"The decision to include VAR in football is going to change the game a little bit. I am pro the basis and trying to help the referees and maybe one year ago I was a little bit worried.

"Today my feeling is the same, when it is for you, you need to accept. When it is against you, you need to accept.

"Like the penalty in the first leg or the situation Fernandinho on Harry Kane that the referee can check.

"The situations that are happening in every single game we are watching, like yesterday Barcelona against Manchester United, it was a penalty, not a penalty?"

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who saw his side's quadruple hopes crumble, has been a big advocate of VAR in the past, but questioned the Llorente decision.

"I support VAR," he said. "It is just to see the goal maybe from Llorente's handball.

"From one angle it is handball. From another it is not. I am for fair football.

"When it is offside, it is offside. I think in the future, even in the present it will be fair."

On Sterling's goal being ruled out, he added: "I don't know, I saw the action and the people decide it is offside, it is offside. What can I say?"


VAR - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Mauricio Pochettino

Click here for more stories about Tottenham Hotspur

Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur's Fernando Llorente celebrates scoring against Manchester City in the Champions League on April 17, 2019
Read Next:
Man City vs. Spurs joins greatest English Champions League ties
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Premier League
Championship
Serie A
Bundesliga
Primeira Liga
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
League One
League Two
National League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Swiss Super League
Swedish Allsvenskan
Norwegian Eliteserien
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool35277179205988
2Manchester CityMan City34282487226586
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs342211164352967
4Arsenal34206868432566
5Chelsea34206857362166
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34197863481564
7Everton35147145044649
8Watford34147134949049
9Leicester CityLeicester35146154847148
10Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34139124142-148
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham35127164454-1043
12Crystal Palace35126174348-542
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
14Bournemouth35125184962-1341
15Burnley34116174260-1839
16Southampton3499164057-1736
17Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3497183253-2134
18Cardiff CityCardiff3594223065-3531
RFulham3565243376-4323
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3535272069-4914

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account