Willy Boly’s header was ruled out after Pedro Neto’s foot was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up, but the head coach, although not disagreeing with the decision that was made, believes something needs to change with the video assistant referee system in its current form as he claims VAR is taking the enjoyment out of football.
On frustrations with VAR
“It’s a reality now, but each time it happens it upsets you. It’s upsetting and it’s an issue that it becomes harder to regain the concentration of the players because everything changes from that moment.
“It upsets you because when you see the images, there’s no clear advantages. The law is the law, of course, and I don’t want to say it’s a bad decision, but there’s no clear advantage in that situation. The body is in line, the foot stays behind.
“What I’m positive about is that full reaction of us professionally, the full reaction of the fans, but something has to be done – let the people that understand make changes to go back to the joy of celebrating goals like we used to do, because we are in danger of becoming robots and football is not about that. When the fans sing they are not happy, we are not happy.”
On being held to a point
“It’s not about frustration, it’s about realising what we did in the game, to know analyse it because we played good. We played good.
“The first-half we controlled Leicester with possession of the ball, we created many chances, we were well organised, we scored in the first-half, and in the second-half we totally dominated a very good team. Leicester is a very good team, full of quality players, good manager, but it’s tough.
“The boys performed well, they created many chances, and this is what we know – that it requires more from us to finish these actions.”
On Jimenez’s key chances
“He was there. The next game. Raul is amazing, it’s amazing the work that he’s done, the work that he does, and today he played well.
“He didn’t put it inside of the net but it’s amazing how he works, how he creates for the team, how he helps the team and the talent that he has. For sure, he will go again Thursday.”
On using the winter break to rest
“I saw a lot of energy from the players, they were running hard and to the end of the game. This is what I’m happy about because we are ready for the tough cycle ahead of us.”
