Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Bayern Munich feel 'cheated' by Champions League exit

04 May 2016 10:23

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the German giants feel "cheated" after their Champions League semi-final exit to Atletico Madrid.

The Bundesliga leaders won Tuesday's second leg 2-1 at the Allianz Arena but Atletico still progressed on away goals courtesy of Antoine Griezmann's second-half strike.

Rummenigge felt the France forward's goal was offside, and the former West Germany international also took issue with the awarding of a late Atletico penalty - which Fernando Torres missed.

Torres appeared to be outside the box when he was tripped by Javi Martinez but Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir awarded a spot-kick.

"Our team played great. They deserved to win and deserved to go to Milan," Rummenigge is quoted as saying in Sport Bild.

"The Atletico goal was offside, the foul for the penalty (which Atletico missed) was outside of the box.

"The referee had two matches in the last seven days. I don't know whether those UEFA guys can have too many matches, too. The UEFA delegate told me 'it's a shame what he did'."

Elimination for Bayern leaves outgoing manager Pep Guardiola to reflect on a third successive last-four exit in Europe but his side do hold a five-point lead heading into the final two Bundesliga fixtures.

The hosts failed to capitalise on Xabi Alonso's deflected free-kick in the first half and, though Robert Lewandowski restored Bayern's lead on the night, it proved in vain.

Thomas Muller, who missed a penalty moments after Alonso had opened the scoring, was left to rue his failure from the spot.

He told the club's official website: "Football can be extreme at times. We did many things right and a few things wrong. Unfortunately it wasn't enough.

"It's quite a setback. Of course I'm disappointed because I didn't score from the penalty."

Atletico, meanwhile, will head to the San Siro looking to make up for the 2014 Champions League final where they fell to a dramatic 4-1 extra-time defeat to Real Madrid.

Atletico could face their city neighbours once more in the showpiece if they can prevail against Manchester City in Wednesday's second semi-final, but Griezmann has called for calm.

He told clubatleticodemadrid.com: "We have to keep our feet on the ground.

"We are very happy. It was hard, a tough game with a great team and we had to defend to try to get where we are going."

Source: PA