Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola was ruffled by a British reporter in the post-match press conference and questioned the referee’s decision to dismiss Bastian Schweinsteiger as the European champions were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Schweinsteiger cancelled out Nemanja Vidic’s opener, but the Bayern midfielder was then sent off – ruling him out of next week’s return leg.
Schweinsteiger was shown a second yellow card in the final minute for sliding in on Wayne Rooney and Guardiola reacted by appearing to make a ‘dive’ gesture at the United forward.
Central defender Javi Martinez will also miss the second leg on April 9 after being booked for a foul on Javier Hernandez and Guardiola afterwards expressed dissatisfaction with Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo.
“I spoke with the referee, and he knows my opinion,” Guardiola said. “He gave me his opinion, and a huge hug, and said: ‘Have a safe trip to Spain’.”
Asked if he had not agreed with his countryman’s decision to dismiss Schweinsteiger, he replied: “Absolutely not.
“I spoke with the referee. I think he’s a very good referee. He made a very, very good game. But it’s unfair.
“But it’s OK. To win the Champions League, you have to overcome everything. Sometimes during the season, during the competition, that happens, OK.”
The former Barcelona manager then became involved in a terse exchange with a British journalist, after being asked if United had played in a negative manner.
The question was a reference to Guardiola’s remark that United had played with “nine players in the box”, but he replied: “I didn’t say that. I didn’t say that. I respect my colleague (United manager David Moyes).”
Seemingly annoyed, he added: “Look at me when I talk to you. I’m talking to you, but you don’t look at me – you look elsewhere.”
Written by Steve Milne
