Leipzig Rue Disallowed Goal As Real Madrid Get First Leg Advantage

Real Madrid gained the upper hand in the round of 16 encounter at the Red Bull Arena as Brahim Diaz's fine individual goal in the second half saw Carlo Ancelotti's side come out on top.

But things could have been different had Benjamin Sesko's second minute goal been allowed to stand.

Sesko planted a header in the back of the Real Madrid net from an onside position but teammate Benjamin Henrichs was adjudged to have been in the sight of Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and the goal was chalked off by VAR.

Leipzig boss Marco Rose believes his side were hard done by but refused to blame the officials.

"There was a goal which should have counted," Rose said, explaining "if we were playing a goal up, maybe things would have turned out differently".

Asked if referee Irfan Pelito, who was taking charge of his eighth match in the Champions League, had shown his inexperience in making the call, Rose shot back "I'm not angry with the referee - I don't want to start a refereeing debate.

"It was a mistake. I think we all saw it was not the right decision.

"I also make mistakes - sometimes two or three per day.

"What's important is that you fix them - and that you try and do it better next time."