Jonathan Moss re-analyses Man City controversy – ‘fans will think it’s really harsh’
Referee Jesus Gil Manzano overturned his own decision after Nico Gonzalez was adjudged to have fouled Eric Dier in the box in the Champions League.
That is according to former Premier League referee and PGMOL director Jonathan Moss, who exclusively told Football Insider that he understood why fans would be outraged by the decision, but that VAR arrived at the correct outcome.
Phil Foden shone for Man City in their 2-2 draw in the Champions League as Erling Haaland was lauded for his brace against Monaco.
Pep Guardiola was fuming with the late penalty decision that went against Man City which ultimately led to both sides sharing the points in a dramatic match.
Nico Gonzalez at fault as Man City lose points at the death
Man City’s Gonzalez was branded as lazy for conceding the late penalty after his foot connected with Dier’s head.
In the 85th minute, the referee waved play on before VAR asked the Spaniard to head to the monitor to review the dubious decision.
On replay, the former Porto midfielder did touch the ball first but his high foot was seen to have endangered the attacker.
In a week where similar minor touches weren’t given as penalties, including Newcastle vs Arsenal (28 September) and Chelsea vs Brighton (27 September), Moss spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the controversy, saying: “This one it’s slightly different, obviously, there is contact.
“I think whenever the defender puts his foot as high as that in the penalty area, whether he touches the ball or not and then makes contact with the face area with his boot and the referee doesn’t give it, then the VAR is going to send him over to the screen for a second look.
“Now as football fans we might think this is really harsh, he’s [Gonzalez] got a touch on the ball, where can he put his foot?
“But, whenever you make a challenge you have to be conscious of where the contact is going to be after you make contact with the ball.
“Yeah it’s harsh, yes it’s soft but when you put your foot that high inside the penalty area in the last minute, then, inevitably, the VAR’s going to look at it and it’s going to determine that there has been contact made with the face and it’s going to send the referee over to the monitor to have another look.
“Of course, the referee then has the ability to then stick with his original decision and in this case decided to, on video review, change his decision to a penalty kick.”
Rodri substitution proved to be a pivotal moment in tie
Rodri was back in training for Man City ahead of the Monaco match but was hooked on the 61st minute as he built up his match fitness again.
The Spaniard was integral to the way the Cityzens operated, delivering one key pass with 91 of his 96 passes finding their man.
His departure saw a shift in the control of the middle of the park as Gonzalez struggled to replicate the class of his compatriot.
The 23-year-old committed three fouls and was dribbled past once as his poor defensive positioning gave away the gut-wrenching penalty.
This certainly showed the tremendous importance of Rodri to how Guardiola wants his deep-lying midfielders to dictate the game and the decision to pull him off came back to bite the Cityzens.