Thomas Tuchel upset with officials as Chelsea exit Champions League

Thomas Tuchel risked the wrath of UEFA by claiming referees lack the “courage” to give big decisions against Real Madrid.

Chelsea boss Tuchel even admitted he could expect repercussions for criticising Polish referee Szymon Marciniak in the wake of the Blues’ 5-4 Champions League quarter-final exit.

Chelsea toppled Madrid 3-2 at the Bernabeu Stadium in their last-eight second-leg but exited the tournament on aggregate and only after extra time in Madrid.

Karim Benzema’s late header ultimately killed off Chelsea’s hopes of a miracle comeback but German coach Tuchel was left to bemoan Marcos Alonso’s disallowed goal and a clutch of other frustrating issues.

Tuchel also criticised referee Marciniak for “laughing and smiling” with Real boss Carlo Ancelotti at full-time.

“I’m disappointed that the referee had a good time with my colleague, Carlo Ancelotti,” said Tuchel.

“I know Carlo is a gentleman and a nice guy but when I wanted to go and say thank you I see him smiling and laughing loudly with the opponent coach.

“I think this is the very, very worst time to do this, after 126 minutes with one team giving their heart and desire, fighting to the very last drop.

“Afterwards you go as a coach and see the referee laughing and smiling with the other coach. I think it’s very, very bad timing.”

If you play against Real Madrid you can maybe not expect everybody has the courage- Thomas Tuchel

Asked if he was frustrated with the VAR decision to rule out Alonso’s goal for handball, Tuchel continued: “Not only today, it is like this for some time, and now maybe I get problems.

“If you play against Real Madrid you can maybe not expect everybody has the courage. I felt little decisions went against us also in the first-leg and today as