Raheem Sterling scored a dramatic late winner as Manchester City snatched a remarkable Champions League victory amid VAR and red card controversy in Germany.
Sterling netted in the last minute as City sank Schalke 3-2 in the first leg of their last-16 tie, completing a stunning comeback moments after Leroy Sane equalised with a brilliant free-kick.
Schalke had led 2-1 at half-time after cancelling out Sergio Aguero's opener with two penalties in the space of seven minutes, the first awarded after a lengthy and farcical VAR delay.
The video official spent more than three minutes analysing whether Nicolas Otamendi had handled a long-range shot from Daniel Caligiuri after a corner had initially been given.
Replays as to whether handling was intentional seemed inconclusive and the referee was unable to review himself because the pitchside monitor was broken, but a spot-kick was still given and Otamendi booked.
Nabil Bentaleb converted and did so again moments later after a foul by Fernandinho, while Otamendi's frustrations were compounded when he was sent off for a second bookable offence in the second half.
Debate raged afterwards but City manager Pep Guardiola at least tried to defuse any tensions.
"It's a penalty," Guardiola said. "I'm a big fan of VAR. The second one is a penalty too.
"It was offside too – so, if we complain about VAR maybe it was offside, but it was a penalty and the red card can be a red card.
"VAR needs time. Next time it will be better."
Difficult game but with a good ending for us 🔥⚽🔥 Respect to @s04 and their fans, it was overwhelming to be back here 🙏🏾 / Schwieriges Spiel mit einem guten Ende für uns. Respekt an die Schalker und ihre Fans. Es war überwältigend, hier her zurückzukommen #LS19 #inSané @ManCity pic.twitter.com/BtM9rS2JGB — Leroy Sané (@LeroySane19) February 20, 2019
Guardiola was pleased with the result at the Veltins Arena, which puts City on course for the quarter-finals, but it proved much harder work than expected and highlighted some shortcomings.
That led to the Spaniard again questioning whether quadruple-chasing City, one of the competition favourites, were good enough to challenge for the trophy.
He said: "The result is incredible, three goals away, but we gave away the goals and the red card.
"In this level we don't have a chance. Still we are not ready to fight for the Champions League.
"After the red card maybe if they'd pushed more and scored a third or fourth then maybe we're out.
"It is not over. Hopefully our fans can help us in the second leg and hopefully we can improve for the future."
Wow nice headlines..... gonna make a screenshot of these cause it might not happen soon again 😅😅 https://t.co/ark369UeZ5 — Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) February 20, 2019
Sterling told BT Sport: "It was a really tough game. We made it difficult for ourselves at times but we stuck together, even with 10 men."
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