Was it a penalty? The grab on Lewandowski not reviewed in the Dortmund-Barça match

The first half of the Dortmund-Barça match was conditioned by a controversial refereeing decision near halftime. In the 43rd minute, a scuffle between Rami Bensebaini and Robert Lewandowski seemed like a clear foul by the Algerian on the '9' of Barcelona. However, the referee Maurizio Mariani sanctioned an attacking foul by the Polish striker, a decision that generated disbelief in the player and the entire Barcelona coaching staff.

The images from the broadcast showed the pull by the Dortmund defender, although 'Lewy' put his arms on his rival's torso to try to turn around. The ball grazed Bensebaini's face and the Algerian took the opportunity to fall, simulating a slap from his rival. This confused the Italian referee and the linesman, but it was clearly a play to review in the VOR room.

Maurizio Mariani let Bensebaini hit as he pleased in the first half

However, the also Italian Marco Di Belo did not call his compatriot. In this way, Barça went into halftime with a disadvantage, after a penalty by Serhou Guirassy where there was VAR intervention. Initially, Pascal Groß's offside had been sanctioned prior to the foul on Szczesny, but the technology verified that the midfielder was enabled by Jules Koundé.

Those were the only reviewable plays of the first half, since Groß himself, in the 16th minute, had scored a goal in a clear offside position. Frenkie de Jong was cautioned for a foul on Nmecha in the 35th minute, while Bensebaini was spared two clear warnings for harsh infractions on Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal. Thus, the refereeing did its part to add excitement to a tie that the whole world knew was decided since the first leg at Montjuïc.