“I’ll have to start killing people”: BVB keeper Kobel fumes | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund celebrates a narrow victory against Heidenheim, but the focus is on a controversial referee decision. BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has strong words afterward and clashes with a reporter.

After the turbulent 3:2 home win of Borussia Dortmund against 1. FC Heidenheim, not only the result was in focus, but especially a controversial referee decision – and the clear words of BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

In the 24th minute, Heidenheim scored through Patrick Mainka, but referee Matthias Jöllenbeck disallowed the goal due to an offensive foul. Mainka had collided with Kobel's arms in an aerial duel as the Dortmund keeper attempted to catch the ball. The decision sparked discussions after the final whistle – especially in the conversation between Kobel and a reporter.

The Swiss goalkeeper showed little understanding for the ongoing doubts: "I think it's really insane to discuss something like this," he stated clearly. "I know you probably haven't stood in goal or caught a ball, but when you go for the ball, it's a very delicate matter." Kobel explained how sensitive the situation is for goalkeepers when they go for the ball, as even minimal contact can be decisive.

After BVB victory: Kobel clashes with reporter

Later, he became even more drastic: "If that's no longer a foul, then I have to start killing people. Then it burns, then it bangs, and then there are injuries." When the reporter referred to a similar scene on the other side – during Dortmund's leading goal, where Heidenheim's keeper Diant Ramaj felt obstructed – Kobel reacted energetically again. "What do you think, honestly? Do you still think it wasn't a foul?" he asked, making it clear that he judged the two situations differently.

However, Heidenheim's coach Frank Schmidt saw it quite differently. For him, both scenes were comparable. "If you look at Dortmund's 1:0 and our goal, our supposed goal by Patrick Mainka, I don't see any difference," Schmidt said after the match.

The difference lay solely in the referee's interpretation. Thus, after an entertaining Bundesliga evening, not only a crucial victory for Dortmund remained but also a heated debate about the protection of goalkeepers and the consistency of referee decisions.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.