Fans on social media have once again questioned the effectiveness of the Video Assistant Referee after it failed to award a decision in favor of Borussia Dortmund in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Barcelona. Post-match images have revealed that the technology should have given Die BVB the opportunity to retake their spot-kick after Marc-André ter Stegen moved off his line to save Marco Reus' attempt on goal.
Having been locked at stalemates for close to an hour, Lucien Favre's men were handed the opportunity to take the lead following Nelson Semedo's challenge on Jadon Sancho in his side's penalty area. Skipper of the hosts, Marco Reus, subsequently stepped up to do due diligence but was denied by his compatriot Marc Ter Stegen's seemingly superb reflexes.
However, images and footages that have emerged on social have confirmed that the Barca shot-stopper was unable to keep a foot on the line before Reus took his shot as suggested by the new rules. Evidently the decision was overridden by referee Ovidiu Hategan who did not consider reviewing the incident at all.
Ter Stegen said NO pic.twitter.com/WBCl4fxkQw
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 17, 2019
Following the end of the proceeding, Ter Stegen attributed his save to his extraordinary instincts although fans on social media do not share the same sentiment.
"My penalty save? It's hard to study Reus because he always changes but I had a feeling and I was able to save it," he stated.
"People know what I am capable of doing. I trust myself and today was the occasion to prove it."
Ter Stegen breaking the foot-on-the-line-for-penalty rule. What's the point of VAR or those extra officials? #BVBBAR pic.twitter.com/oTdnxDvxxV
— J (@Ultra_Suristic) September 17, 2019
Ter Stegen off the line by a mile as the penalty is taken. VAR refuses to interfere. pic.twitter.com/iWKskrGn7a
— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome_) September 17, 2019
Ter Stegen had both feet off the line when the penalty was struck. Surely VAR should have picked up on that #BVBBarca
— BVB Buzz (@BVBBuzz) September 17, 2019
ter Stegen CLEARLY OUT OF HIS LINE ffs!!! pic.twitter.com/8dYUMvZdKM
— Jane (@MrsterStegen1) September 17, 2019
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Great save by Ter Stegen on the Reus penalty, but he was clearly off his line when the kick was taken. How did VAR not intervene there??#BVBBarca #UCL pic.twitter.com/yRrCwewcFs
— Joga Bonito (@Jasoninho10) September 17, 2019