In the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final, Manchester City's midfielder Chieuwendi Bunyi contributed a stunning long-range shot to help his team draw 1-1 with Real Madrid. The goal was notable, but it also raised questions about the effectiveness of the VAR system. Looking back at the game, when Manchester City launched their attack, the ball had already crossed the sideline, but the referee and the VAR system did not react, which gave the "Blue Moon Army" a chance to take advantage of the situation. Even Real Madrid's coach Antsarotti, who is known for his calmness, received a yellow card for losing control of his emotions.
The counterattack was swiftly launched when City defender Kilwonga passed the ball to a teammate and Benedict Schwarz darted in to save the ball near the sideline. Kiyondi Buni then struck a powerful shot to seal the win for City. In the face of this controversial scene, Real Madrid players such as Kamayunga complained to the referee that the ball had crossed the touchline before Bernardo Schwarz saved it. Real Madrid's skipper Antsarotti also protested with rare vehemence and was eventually shown a yellow card by the referee.
Although the VAR system did not intervene to check, but the television station responsible for the live broadcast of the use of 3D technology to analyze the screen, confirming that the ball as a whole has crossed the line, should be awarded to Real Madrid out-of-bounds. Manchester City's attack on this ball, theoretically, has nothing to do with whether the ball is out of bounds, the VAR system can not intervene, Real Madrid this time can only admit their own bad luck.
However, the foreign media pointed out that the UEFA soccer ball was not implanted with a chip, and could not accurately determine whether it had crossed the line as in the World Cup. In addition, after Benedict Schwarz saved the ball, Real Madrid once regained control of the ball, theoretically, the initiation of Manchester City's goal attack has nothing to do with whether the ball is out of bounds. Therefore, the VAR system could not intervene, and Real Madrid could only lament their bad luck this time.
