Guardiola admits he doesn’t understand handball rule after VAR denies Rodri goals

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he doesn’t understand after his side had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR during the goalless draw with Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Rodri’s stunning first-half strike was disallowed following a VAR review after City winger Riyad Mahrez accidentally touched the ball with his hand during the build-up.

Guardiola was asked after the game if he understood the handball rule, to which he replied “No”.

There was a suggestion that a recent rule change means Rodri’s goal should have stood, but Guardiola also referenced decisions in Inter Milan versus Barcelona last week and in Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.

“Inter Milan vs Barcelona last week, did you see what happened with Arsenal and Liverpool? So, no [I don’t understand it],” he said

t proved a frustrating night for City, who also had Sergio Gomez sent off, while Mahrez missed a penalty.

Guardiola insists he didn’t see the incident that saw Gomez sent off for pulling back Hakon Arnar Haraldsson in the 30th minute, but was pleased with the performance of his side after going a man down.

“I’m really satisfied. The team gave everything, 10 v 11, to play one like that is tough,” he said.

“We conceded few chances. We started very well. Mathematically we are not in the next round, we are not there, but almost there. We’ll try to get a result.

“The width of the pitch is difficult to control. We made a lot of possession and then in the last 10 minutes with Phil [Foden] coming in then I felt maybe we could break it. The players gave absolutely everything. It’s a good point and we will take it.”