DFB Cup: The lack of VAR causes controversy during Dortmund's victory in Frankfurt

Video evidence regularly stirs up emotions. It does so even when it's not actually used. This was the case in two scenes in the second round of the German Cup, which Borussia Dortmund won 4-2 on penalties against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The technical aid has been used in the Bundesliga since 2017, but in the DFB Cup only from the round of 16 onwards. Because amateur clubs often still participate until then – key factors being infrastructure and costs – that's the thinking. However, it was different on Tuesday evening in Frankfurt, where two Champions League participants met.

Markus Krösche didn't take long to respond when asked about the incident that led to Borussia Dortmund's 1-1 draw. "We all agree that it was offside in that situation," said the Eintracht sporting director. Julian Brandt equalized Frankfurt's lead in the 48th minute, which had been secured by two former BVB players: Ansgar Knauff finished off an assist from World Cup golden boy Mario Götze (7th).

There was no offside immediately when Dortmund scored from close range, but there was certainly an offside a few passes earlier - albeit narrowly - for Maximilian Beier, who had been set up by Brandt to initiate the goal.

Referee Sven Jablonski allowed the game to continue because his assistant Eduard Beitinger's flag remained down. "The referee later said: Sure, it's offside, but you couldn't see it," Eintracht chairman Axel Hellmann explained in the catacombs about his exchange with Jablonski.

SGE later learned that it was indeed possible without video evidence. In extra time, the goal music stopped after a few seconds, and the SGE crowd around Jonathan Burkhardt didn't even notice. Sascha Thielert, the other linesman, had raised his flag belatedly, causing Burkardt's supposed winning goal for Hesse (115th minute) to be disallowed.

There was nothing to discuss, the German international was standing behind the BVB defense during a free kick in the penalty area.

"It's pointless to talk about it; we just have to live with it. It makes no sense to discuss whether we should introduce it earlier," Krösche said. Ultimately, it was these two decisions that made the "real cup fight," as Hellmann and, incidentally, BVB CEO Lars Ricken called it a few meters away, a real one.

And because of another key incident, SGE saw it that way when it came to a possible sending-off for Aaron Anselmino shortly before halftime. "He certainly had a bit of luck there," said Krösche. Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller added: "The BVB player couldn't have complained about a yellow-red card." As is well known, however, there was no video review when Anselmino committed another foul shortly after the first yellow card, because only a straight red card is used. Meanwhile, Dortmund coach Niko Kovac was (understandably) pleased that Jablonski showed some insight.

Overall, however, the referee received a positive assessment from the hosts – which is particularly noteworthy from the losing team. "One or two decisions," Toppmöller said, were "unfortunately against us." He acknowledged that the offside decision before the 1-1 draw was "difficult to see" without a video referee, as well as the fact that Burkardt's goal was rightly disallowed. Hellmann praised Jablonski's "international approach."

Toppmöller was more annoyed that his team wasn't rewarded for a strong performance due to numerous missed opportunities – and that during the penalty shootout, first Ritsu Doan (over) and then Farès Chaïbi (Gregor Kobel saved) lost their nerve. Even video review couldn't have changed that.