Leandro Barreiro experiences attack on referee on the Var monitor up close

The Hard Rock Stadium of Miami lived up to its name on Tuesday night. Because between the Boca Juniors from Buenos Aires and Benfica with Leandro Barreiro, it went down and next to the field hard. Even so hard that the stadium security had to protect the Mexican referee César Ramos from an angry Spaniard in the ranks of 35 times Argentine master.

The Boca Juniors, who took the lead after just 21 minutes through Miguel Merenstiel, caught the better start. Just six minutes later, Rodrigo Battaglia doubled the lead. A measure of the traditional Argentine club, but shortly before the break, all the fuses burned through Ander Herrera.

The Spaniard was replaced after only 20 minutes of the game due to injuries and had to take a seat on the bench from then on, but he shouldn’t really succeed. As stung from the tarantula, Herrera jumped up in the 45th minute and stormed towards Var-Monitor to the referee after the Mexican wanted to check whether Benficas Nicolas Otamendi was fouled.

Barreiro, who was not in the starting formation of the Lisbonner, experienced the wild scenes from a few meters away when a security guard had to push the former Manchester United star with full physical effort to prevent an attack on the Mexican referee. Meanwhile, Ramos did not hesitate and pulled out the red card for the Boca player’s uncontrolled action. Angel The Maria, on the other hand, took the chance from the point and practically shortened the break to 1: 2.

Even after the restart, the Luxembourg international was initially not allowed to go directly on the lawn, instead experienced a game led on both sides with hard bandages. The VAR (video assistant referee) decided in the 72nd ‘ In favor of the Boca Juniors, when the video images became a red one from the yellow card for Benficas Andrea Belotti. Protests from Herrera remained this time.

Provocative cheers

A whistle concert then echoed from the ranks of the Hard Rock Stadium, which was festival in Argentine hand when compatriot Otamendi of all people met in the 84th minute. The confessing fan of River Plate (worst national rival of the Boca Juniors) provocatively celebrated his goal in front of the spectators in the blue jerseys. From the Argentine press for the way he celebrated, Otamendi only said: « Everyone knows that I am a River fan, but I celebrated this goal like every goal that I score against another opponent. Goals have to be celebrated, and now I was celebrating it. »

It should come even better for Benfica than Nicolas Figal in the 88. ‘ After one step the red card saw. Not understandable for Boca trainer Miguel Angel Russo. « The red card from Figal made life difficult for us because it did not play for a long time. I wanted him to find his rhythm and now he will be missing. I think the referee has rushed. I know him, he was a bit hasty. And this penalty is not a penalty, » said Russo dissatisfied with the performance of the referee.

With the chance to turn the game completely, Bruno finally sent Barreiro to the field in the 90th minute. The midfield engine should provide a few additional impulses forward in added time, but the end result no longer changed.

Already on Friday with Auckland City, which has lost its opening game with 0:10 against Bayern Munich, the next opponent for Barreiro and his team. The national player then hopes for further minutes. She also wishes Maxim Chanotthat was not substituted in the game between Chelsea and the Los Angeles FC (0: 2). This is best to change against Espérance Tunis on Saturday.