Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany refused to place the blame squarely on the referee after his side’s Champions League semifinal exit to Paris Saint-Germain, saying he would move on quickly from the disappointment.
Defending champion PSG will face Arsenal in the May 30 final in Budapest after a dramatic tie that ended 1-1 in Germany on Wednesday, following last week’s 5-4 thriller in Paris.
Ousmane Dembele gave PSG an early lead in Munich before Harry Kane struck deep into stoppage time to level on the night.
Controversy, however, surrounded several officiating decisions. PSG defender Nuno Mendes appeared to handle the ball in the first half while already on a yellow card, but play was halted moments later for a handball against Bayern’s Konrad Laimer.
Replays suggested Laimer had controlled the ball with his chest, while reports indicated the fourth official may have alerted the referee that the infraction involved a Bayern player.
João Neves also appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area, but under current interpretations regarding deflections from a teammate, the referee did not award a penalty.
Kompany remained composed in interviews and instead pointed to Alphonso Davies conceding a debatable penalty for handball in the first leg as a turning point.
“Details have decided it, there was the penalty in Paris. It was very decisive,” he told DAZN, without directing criticism at the officials.
“(Tonight) he didn’t play the full five minutes of stoppage time when you’ve got players on the ground. These are all details. There are three parties in a game: us, the opponents and the officials.”
On the Neves incident, he added: “Whether it is from his own player or not, (the rules) are a bit daft, a bit silly.”
Bayern’s treble hopes are over after they already secured the Bundesliga title. A German Cup final against VfB Stuttgart also awaits.
“I have the ability not to be disappointed for so long,” Kompany added. “It was tight in both games. We have to respect that we played against a great opponent.
“The level from both sides was very, very high. In the end, we lose because of one goal. PSG defended crosses very, very well.”
Bayern’s defeat makes it unlikely Germany will secure a fifth Champions League place next season at the expense of Spain, although Freiburg remain in the Europa League.
PSG coach Luis Enrique, who led Barcelona to the title in 2015 and has now guided the Parisians to two straight finals, said: “Today I think our defence was better than our attack.
“We are happy to reach the final. It was very intense, very difficult. They played football at the highest level.”
