WATCH: “Real Madrid is the definition of corruption”- Fans enraged over controversial offside call against RB Leipzig in UCL

Real Madrid certainly did not have an easy night against RB Leipzig, and with the offside call adding to the mix, fans were in for a treat in the Round of 16 opener.

WATCH: “Real Madrid is the definition of corruption”- Fans enraged over controversial offside call against RB Leipzig in UCL

Leipzig's opener in Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig was disallowed due to offside (Via X/@BarcaWorldwide)

The return of the Champions League featured 14-time champions Real Madrid take on RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena. Leipzig midfielder Eljif Elmas was certainly not joking around when he said that his team will not give Madrid ‘5 minutes of peace‘. The Los Blancos were certainly given a run for their money, as the club managed to get past a determined Leipzig side thanks only to a solitary goal from Brahim Diaz in the early minutes of the second half.

No Champions League game goes past without drama, and the Round of 16 opener in Leipzig had plenty. From a highly controversial offside call to Andriy Lunin‘s heroics in goal and the battle between Dani Carvajal & Xavi Simons, the game had it all. Leipzig took an early lead in the first half, which was subsequently flagged offside by the assistant.

However, many felt otherwise and debated whether the referee had favored the Los Blancos. Leipzig player Benjamin Henrichs was shadowing Lunin in an offside position as the ball was struck.

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In a post-match analysis show, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry said that interfering in play from an offside position warrants an offside call if the action ‘obstructs’ the goalkeeper.

Fans label Real Madrid ‘corrupt’ as Los Blancos edge to a 1-0 win

Football Twitter raged in debate as RB Leipzig’s early opener was disallowed pointing to offside. While many debated on the technicality and veracity of the call, others were quick to conclude that Real Madrid had ‘paid’ the referees. Rival fans, mainly from FC Barcelona, were quick to label the game as ‘rigged’ and set up in favor of Real Madrid, pointing to the offside call.

Dani Carvajal & Xavi Simons
Dani Carvajal escaped without a second booking after fouling Xavi Simons (Via X/@BarcaWorldwide)

A fan said that Real Madrid and corruption go hand in hand. News surrounding Real Madrid and controversial refereeing decisions were no surprise to many, as they pointed out several instances from the past along the same lines. Real Madrid supporters did not hold back either, as they brought up the Negreria case and instances of alleged corruption in the past.

https://twitter.com/PLEenforcer/status/1757503639000662366?s=20

That being said, Madrid bagged a one-goal lead away from home against a resolute Leipzig side, who thoroughly lived up to the expectations of a Round of 16 clash. Despite star man Jude Bellingham missing out due to injury, Carlo Ancelotti‘s side managed to get the job done.

The return leg is set to be played on the 7th of March at the Santiago Bernabeu, and with Jude Bellingham likely to be fit by the time, the tie is certainly in Real Madrid’s ballpark.

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