VAR would have helped referee in Cristiano Ronaldo red card - Massimiliano Allegri

Posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 by ESPN

VAR would have helped referee in Cristiano Ronaldo red card - Massimiliano Allegri
Cristiano Ronaldo must now wait to see whether his red card suspension extends to two Champions League matches -- and thus potentially missing a return trip to Old Trafford. VI Images via Getty Images

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri believes VAR would have overturned Cristiano Ronaldo's red card in Wednesday night's Champions League 2-0 win over Valencia, and given his side an easier night.

Ronaldo was dismissed after a clash with Jeison Murillo was spotted by the assistant referee and communicated to German referee Felix Brych, who drew a red card from his top pocket.

It was Ronaldo's first red card in 154 Champions League games, and the decision means he could miss a return to Old Trafford when Juventus play Manchester United next month if he gets at least a two-match ban.

The Portuguese forward was reluctant to leave the field at the Mestalla and appeared to be on the verge of tears as he finally walked to the tunnel in disbelief.

Allegri also could not quite believe the decision and feels VAR technology, which has been employed in Serie A since last season and was used at the FIFA World Cup this summer, would have been of benefit.

"I can only say that certainly the VAR would have helped the referee in this situation because to be down to ten men in the 20th minute in the Champions League for such a situation is disappointing," he told Sky Sport Italia. "We risked losing tonight and now we can only hope he is not banned for long."

Defender Leonardo Bonucci was also surprised to see the referee produce a red card, although he was encouraged by the reaction Juve showed.

"I think it was just a normal clash, but I was a long way off," he told Sky. "It seemed like Murillo put his hands on him first, but it seemed like a normal clash. He was pretty angry [in the dressing room], but what can we do?

"Unfortunately the referee saw this -- not very well -- but the important thing is we responded as a team."

Ronaldo faces an automatic one-game ban for the red card, meaning he will miss the visit of Young Boys to the Allianz Stadium in a fortnight's time, but that could be increased to two games depending on how serious it is perceived by UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body upon reading the referee's report.

A two-game ban would consequently rule him out of Juve's trip to his former club.