Gianluigi Buffon Rips Michael Oliver: 'You Cannot Ruin the Dreams of a Team'

Gianluigi Buffon has accused Michael Oliver of ruining the dreams of Juventus after the referee controversially awarded a late penalty in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Oliver also sent off 40-year-old Buffon for his protests, bringing the goalkeeper's Champions League career to a miserable end. Cristiano Ronaldo converted the penalty to put holders Real into the semi-final 4-3 on aggregate.

After the game, Buffon told Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia): 

"You cannot ruin the dreams of a team. I could've told the referee anything at that moment, but he had to understand the degree of the disaster he was creating. If you can't handle the pressure and have the courage to make a decision, then you should just sit in the stands and eat your crisps."

Oliver showed Buffon a straight red card after the decorated stopper's aggressive protests. Those complaints were prompted by the decision to award a spot-kick deep into injury time after Medhi Benatia was adjudged to have fouled substitute Lucas Vazquez in the box.

Buffon described it as "a tenth of a penalty," calling the incident "dubious."

Yet Ronaldo, who had to wait an age to take the penalty amid all the remonstrating, was left bemused by Juve's reaction, per ESPN FC's Robbie Dunne:

Continuing to vent his frustrations, Buffon suggested Oliver lacked humanity with his late decisions:

"The team gave its all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.

"Clearly you cannot have a heart in your chest, but a garbage bin. On top of that, if you don't have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, drinking your Sprite and eating crisps."

Those sentiments came after Buffon and his team-mates were left heartbroken by seeing their comeback from a 3-0 first-leg deficit undone. Mario Mandzukic scored twice, while Blaise Matuidi added another, to get the Bianconeri dreaming of a miracle with extra time tantalisingly in sight.

As for the decision, Paolo Badini of the Guardian felt Oliver had got things right on reflection:

Lee Clayton of the Daily Mail was even more emphatic:

Buffon's feeling there was a lack of compassion may not have been shared by all, but United States international Alex Morgan had sympathy for the veteran's contentious exit:

Oliver's late call and Buffon's reaction will be dissected for years after instantly entering Champions League lore.

Buffon's illustrious career might not be defined solely by the incident, but Oliver will have to be brave the next time he's faced with a contentious decision in a big game.