Bitter blow for Bayern, but understandable: experts assess Díaz’s red card | OneFootball

What a rollercoaster ride for Luis Díaz! First, he puts FC Bayern in the lead with a double strike, then he gets sent off with a red card just before halftime – a dramatic turning point in the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

The Colombian had a dream start to the match. With his goals in the 4th and 32nd minutes, Díaz secured an early 2-0 lead for the German record champions. But in the stoppage time of the first half, the mood shifted: In a duel against Achraf Hakimi, the 28-year-old rushed in with both legs from behind into the PSG defender.

Hakimi lay on the ground with a face contorted in pain, holding his hands to his face in tears. Initially, referee Maurizio Mariani showed only a yellow card before the VAR intervened. After multiple reviews of the footage, the Italian revised his decision – red card for Díaz (45.+7).

Disagreement among the experts

Photo: Getty Images

While DFB instructor Lutz Wagner had no doubts about the decision on Amazon Prime Video, Mats Hummels explained: “That is a South American double tackle. Seen so often in that intensity from behind, there's no room for discussion.”

Wagner called the action “completely unnecessary”: “Over-motivated. He jumps with both legs, can no longer control his movement. He hits him with the open sole, with high intensity – for me, it's a mandatory red.”

Referee expert Manuel Gräfe had a different assessment, providing a nuanced view on X: “Mariani and especially the VAR were obviously influenced by the injury. Without the injury, it remains a yellow. Díaz looks at the ball, just misses it, but follows through with his right leg and scissors Hakimi. Endangering a player's health is a red – if the player is injured, then it's unfortunate for Bayern, but understandable.”

The injured Hakimi was immediately substituted after the incident, with Senny Mayulu coming into the game before halftime. Bitter for Díaz: With his sending off, he made Champions League history – he is only the second player ever after Antoine Griezmann (2021) to score two goals in a game and then see red.

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