Xabi Alonso: “VAR is overused”

Xabi Alonso went to a press conference to analyze his Bayer Leverkusen draw at the Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid. An opportunity he took to protest against VAR.

the last play

“It didn’t happen to me, because when I played there was no VAR and I don’t know that experience, I saw it, but above all I think that in the Champions League questionable hands are rarely called and that’s what -bothered me. Seeing this, it was an action after a detour and that in Europe they didn’t whistle. The criterion in Spain and Europe is different and now it can be decisive, because they called him from VAR. That’s why I went to the referee, to tell him that I’ve seen that and these decisions cause a lot of damage. VAR is used too much, now it can hurt us and I don’t think it’s the right decision” .

match analysis

“Atleti persisted, we held on, we had a fight and it was intense. An exciting match, energetic and exceeded expectations. We played a lot and we gave everything, I really liked Atleti and their energy in the second half, we have to adapt and we have to grow. These are things from the field, things that remain and I didn’t see anything unsportsmanlike, just things of the moment”.

European goals

“Whatever the result of Porto, we will deal with it in a positive way. It is clear that the door to the Champions League is closed, but we have come to show our faces, the team is alive until the last moment and anything can happen. There are important things to decide and we want that place in the Europa League”.

spanish football

“Making an assessment for one season I think is unfair. The prestige of Spanish football in Europe is enormous. But the growth of other countries is also very important, sometimes we focus a lot on what is happening in Spain and things are being done well abroad. Yesterday we saw Leipzig, Dortmund and the teams we play every week have a great level. But the quality of Spanish football is unquestionable, it is viewed with admiration. this year that only one out of four pass denotes that competitiveness is high and that something has gone wrong, but I don’t get involved there, I have enough with what I have”.

Conversation with the referee

“He gave me his explanations. We discussed the arguments and he makes the decision, but I felt I had to take it to him and tell him with all respect. I didn’t like the decision, but he is a good referee”.

Simeone said they beat Bruges

“Hopefully that’s the case and Simeone is right, but if Bruges come first it’s for a reason. We’ll do everything on our part. It’s an equal and competitive group.”