Pep Guardiola Backs VAR After Win at Schalke

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he is "a big fan of VAR" despite his side conceding two penalties and having a man sent off in a Champions League last-16 first-leg win at Schalke.

Nabil Bentaleb scored two first-half penalties but City rallied to win 3-2.

"It's a penalty. The second one is too," said Guardiola. "Offside too. And the red card can be a red card.

"I trust VAR. I have arguments sometimes but not this time. They are both penalties."

The first of the penalties was for handball by Nicolas Otamendi, with the VAR overturning the referee's decision.

The second was given for a Fernandinho foul on Salif Sane - the video referee confirming the decision, although Sane looked marginally offside as the free-kick came in.

Otamendi was sent off in the second half for a second booking, having been shown his first yellow card for conceding the first penalty. Yellow cards are not reviewed by the VAR.

Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling scored in the final five minutes to give City victory in Germany, after Sergio Aguero opened the scoring early on.

The screen at the side of the pitch did not work for the penalty conceded by Otamendi, with referee Carlos del Cerro Grande having to rely on the video officials to make the decision for him.

 

FROM .bbc.com/sport/football/