Late Drama at the Red Bull Arena

Borussia Dortmund left the Red Bull Arena feeling aggrieved after a late penalty claim was denied in a 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig. The incident, involving Karim Adeyemi and Castello Lukeba, has sparked outrage from Dortmund coach Niko Kovac and prompted a post-match discussion with the referee.

The match saw Christoph Baumgartner score twice for Leipzig (20th and 39th minutes), while an own goal from Rômulo (50th minute) and a late strike from Fabio Silva (90th + 5 minutes) secured a point for Dortmund.

Kovac Compares Challenge to Judo Technique

Coach Niko Kovac was visibly frustrated after the match, arguing that Adeyemi was fouled in the penalty area in the 89th minute. I was likewise a judoka until I was 13/14. That’s a sickle, that’s a sweeper, Kovac stated to Sky. I don’t know what we saw back in the studio, but apparently the wrong thing. He questioned the decision-making of the video assistant referee (VAR).

Kovac added, The referee can’t see that. But the one in the studio has the pictures that we also have. That’s a disappointing decision. He’s making it.

Kehl Disputes the Call

Borussia Dortmund’s sports director, Sebastian Kehl, attempted to discuss the incident with referee Benjamin Brand after the final whistle. Kehl stated, We don’t always have to agree. He further expressed his belief that the challenge warranted a penalty, stating, Even after a few minutes of thinking and coming down, I still believe that this is a clear penalty. The VAR should have intervened, it should have pointed to the spot. Then the game might have turned out differently.

Kehl indicated that the view from the back goal camera showed Lukeba made contact with Adeyemi in no time. Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner also conceded that a penalty could have been awarded, saying, If I were wearing a yellow jersey, I would complain. For me it is.

Match Recap

The draw leaves Borussia Dortmund eight points behind league leaders Bayern Munich, who secured a 3-2 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Dortmund will face Atalanta Bergamo in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Wednesday, followed by a crucial league match against Bayern Munich next Saturday.