Portugese Referee Makes Two Significant Mistakes In Inter Milan Vs RB Leipzig UEFA Champions League Clash

SempreInter.Com

·27 November 2024

Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro officiated last night’s UEFA Champions League meeting between Inter Milan and RB Leipzig.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, it wasn’t the finest performance from the experienced referee.

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Inter squeaked past Leipzig, posting another narrow 1-0 win to go alone at the top of the 34-team table.

The decisive moment took place in the 27-minute.

Indeed, Federico Dimarco whipped the ball into the box from a set-piece, with the Frenchman turning the ball into the net.

Little did anyone know it would be the only goal, considering both teams had several chances to change the scoreline.

However, it’s fair to admit Pinheiro’s decisions directly influenced the full-time score.

Frankly, the game was a challenging one for the referee, given its intensity and high stakes.

Given Pinheiro’s experience in European football, you’d expect him to handle the pressure.

But that wasn’t the case last night.

Pinheiro first came under scrutiny in the 16th minute.

Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara intercepted Benjamin Pavard’s cross inside the box.

Though the image wasn’t clear, the Malian star seemed to have used his arm to block the cross.

However, Pinheiro refused to point to the spot.

With the first half approaching its end, Denzel Dumfries and Lukeba engaged in a brutal physical tussle inside Leipzig’s box.

Again, Pinheiro waved play on, even though the Leipzig center-back used excessive force to stop the Inter wingback.

Finally, the Portuguese official disallowed the home team’s goal in second-half stoppages.

Marcus Thuram forced a high turnover before setting Henrikh Mkhitaryan up on a platter.

The Armenian veteran tapped the ball home, only to hear Pinheiro’s whistle for a foul in the build-up.

Still, it’s questionable whether Thuram committed a foul in that situation.