This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Arturo Vidal, former midfielder of Bayern Munich, did not hold back in his words while recalling two Champions League eliminations against Real Madrid, claiming to have been 'robbed' on both occasions. The controversial statements emerged during his participation in the podcast Enfocados, hosted by former Peruvian footballers Jefferson Farfan and Roberto Guizasola. When asked about the refereeing controversies involving the Spanish club, Vidal was straightforward: 'Yes, I felt robbed. In both second-leg matches of the Champions League, in the quarter-finals and then in the semi-finals, when we were eliminated.' The Chilean international was referring to the knockout rounds of 2017 and 2018, in which Bayern Munich was consecutively eliminated from the competition by the Madrid side. The first controversy dates back to the quarter-finals of 2017. Bayern was trailing the tie 1-2 before the second leg. In Madrid, goals from Robert Lewandowski and an own goal by Sergio Ramos, interspersed with one from Cristiano Ronaldo, took the match into extra time. However, just before the end of regular time, Arturo Vidal was sent off for a second yellow card after a tackle on Marco Asensio, a decision heavily contested by the Bavarians, who argued that the Chilean midfielder touched the ball first. In extra time, the controversy deepened when, in the 105th minute, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goal that gave Real Madrid the lead from an offside position. The Merengues would eventually win 4-2, sealing the tie with an aggregate score of 6-3. The following season, in 2018, the two teams met again, this time in the semi-finals. Real Madrid had won the first leg 2-1. In Spain, Bayern took the lead through Joshua Kimmich, but Zidane's team equalized. Later, a play in the Real Madrid area generated new controversy: referee Cuneyt Çakir did not award a penalty to the Germans after a cross was intercepted by the hand of defender Marcelo. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, a result that, with an aggregate score of 4-3, led to Bayern's elimination once again. It is worth noting that Vidal, who also played for Barcelona for two seasons, concluded his remarks with a final jab: 'That's what VAR was invented for, so we wouldn't be robbed anymore.'
Arturo Vidal Real Madrid remains central to this story.
Arturo Vidal Real Madrid remains central to this story.
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