Linesman in tears after Champions League match: what happened?

A touching scene unfolded at the end of the Champions League clash between RB Leipzig and Aston Villa. Linesman Alessandro Giallatini broke down in tears after the final whistle, with Leipzig coach Marco Rose stepping in to console him, reports Bild.

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It was revealed that the match marked Giallatini’s final game as a professional referee. The 49-year-old, who has been a FIFA official since 2013, decided to retire. During his illustrious career, Giallatini officiated at major tournaments such as Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

"I asked him what was going on, and he told me that this was his last game—he’s 49 years old. It’s a beautiful, emotional story. I supported him and said he’d now have more time to spend wisely, to take care of his family," Rose shared about the moment.

Meanwhile, Leipzig's Champions League campaign has been disastrous. The German club suffered a 2-3 defeat to Aston Villa, sealing their fate as they exited the tournament without a single point from six games. Currently, Leipzig sits 34th out of 36 teams in the overall standings for the European competition.