Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard was sent off following a potential ‘leg-breaking’ tackle on Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi.
A volley from Kingsley Coman gave the German side the advantage as Bayern ran out 1-0 winners in the first leg of the last-16 tie at the Parc des Princes.
However, Pavard caused a nervy ending with his challenge as he flew in on Messi, who was running into the box from the right flank in stoppage time.
The defender received a second yellow card, but the challenge would arguably have been greeted with a red on its own.
And Neymar reacted to the challenge by pointing at his head and shouting ‘you’re crazy’ as the Frenchman trudged off the pitch.
But his manager, Julian Nagelsmann, praised the defender after the game.
“The red card is not very good, especially since ‘Benji’ had a brilliant match.
“It was a difficult situation with a lot of speed at Messi. It was 50-50, between tackling or not.
“It’s not very good for the second leg but that’s how it is. Today, he was brilliant, so it’s important.”
Pavard will now miss the second leg of their tie, and Trevor Sinclair was not shy to criticise him for making such a strong challenge.
Speaking on commentary for talkSPORT 2, Sinclair said: “Horrible tackle, I’ve got to be honest. It’s reckless, it’s out of control.
“He might just get something over the top of the ball but he completely takes out Messi. That could break your left leg, that’s the challenge you don’t want to see in the game.”
He added: “I’m just looking at Messi there, I mean if he carries on and he’s fine in the next game, I’ll be astounded.
“I feel that was almost an amber challenge, touching on red because it was so out of control and reckless.
“They are the kind of challenges that we don’t want to see in the game because they end careers, they end seasons.”
Messi was able to complete the match as Bayern held on for the win. Despite having an immensely talent squad, PSG are once again on the verge of an early exit from the illustrious competition.
