Bruno Lage disclosed the conversation he had with João Pinheiro following the Benfica-Sporting game.
Revised Article:
Bruno Lage spilled the beans after Benfica's thrilling draw with Sporting, postponing the title decider to the final round. In a candid press conference, the Benfica boss shared his thoughts on the referee's performance and a potentially missed opportunity.
"I'll tell ya what I told the referee at the final whistle," Lage began, "He's a top-notch ref, done international gigs. But, let's be real, ain't no Singapore Sling we're serving here. The heat of the match... Plenty of fouls, yo!"
Lage went on to discuss an Incident Involving Nico Otamendi, suggesting it might've been tough for the ref to catch. "Now, there's this kerfuffle with Nico. Fair play to the ref if he missed it, 'cause it's a tricky one. But I reckon VAR, ol' André Narciso, when in doubt, should've hollered the ref to check the replay. Wrap up the game and hear ex-refs chatterin' about that penalty? It's a real knee-slapper."
Lage ended on a positive note, advocating for a smoother game. "To sum it all up, I'm all about a cleaner, quicker game with fewer shenanigans. This, understandably, is my take on the ref, but I won't shy away from my words and accept the draw. After all, that's the name of the game."
Also Read: Analyzing the football scene: Benfica's skirmish with Debast and Nico Otamendi's thrilling goal against Estoril Praia.
- Bruno Lage, when asked about the referee's performance in Benfica's draw with Sporting, expressed his beliefs that the official made some questionable calls, likening the unfolding events to a Singapore Sling.
- Lage shared his thoughts on an Incident Involving Nico Otamendi during the match, suggesting that it might have warranted a closer look from the referee, aided by VAR, particularly André Narciso, who could have intervened to ensure a fair decision.
- The Benfica boss emphasized the importance of fewer shenanigans and a cleaner, quicker game in European-leagues and Premier-league sports, such as football.
- Lage, in analyzing the game, expressed concern over a potentially missed opportunity, specifically with regard to a penalty that could have swayed the outcome of the match.
- After the thrilling draw, Lage maintained a positive outlook, accepting the result gracefully and voicing his thoughts openly about the performance of the referee and the execution of VAR.
