Decisions made by the VAR and the use of the same is and has always been a contagious issue to the lovers of football since their introduction into the Footballing world.
Many say that they take away the sweetness and the suspense when fans argue on the eligibility of a goal in and out the field.
But it played a big role in losing for Manchester City and qualification to the next level for Tottenham who will face Ajax.
The Catalan coach was happy with his team’s performance but felt they did not get the breaks as VAR calls saw them knocked out of the Champions League
Pep Guardiola appeared gutted to see his side eliminated from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage yet again, with VAR confirming a late goal for Tottenham while ruling out what would have been a late winner for Manchester City on Wednesday.
City came into the night trailing 1-0 from the first leg and needing to win by two clear goals following an early onslaught that saw Spurs bag two away goals before half-time as the side’s split five goals in the first 21 minutes of the second leg.
Sergio Aguero’s second-half strike had City out in front once again before VAR decisions took over in the closing stages.
First, it was a goal for Fernando Llorente, confirmed by VAR despite the hint of handball, putting Spurs back in front in the tie on away goals, before Raheem Sterling’s stoppage-time strike, which would have been a winner for City, was ruled out for offside after being checked.
The loss in the tie ends City’s chase for a quadruple, and Guardiola was not pleased with how his club’s run in the Champions League came to an end.
“In first 20 minutes, it was 3-2. Five goals in 20 minutes are not quite normal,” he told BT Sport. “We scored our goals and after, VAR made the rest.”
“The handball was inches. It [Sterling’s disallowed goal] was offside.
“I support VAR but maybe from one angle Fernando Llorente’s goal is handball, maybe from the referee’s angle it is not.
“It was cruel. The moment we celebrate and we are so close to the semi-finals. It is what it is.
“The first half was good. In the second we created a lot of chances. Spurs are a strong team so it was quite equal. Unfortunately, we are not at the next stage.”
City still has plenty to play for, with an FA Cup final against Watford to come and the club in a battle for the Premier League title with Liverpool.
And while Guardiola admits the loss to Spurs will be hard to take, he promised that his club would be back up for the closing run in a couple of day.
“We have a lot of games from the league and FA Cup final,” he said. “Today is tough and tomorrow will be tough too but the day after we will be ready to fight for the Premier League.”