The clash between French defender Ibrahima Konate, a Liverpool player, and Bradley Barkola, a winger for Paris Saint-Germain, sparked significant controversy during the first leg of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. Following the match, Konate confirmed that the referee's decision not to award a foul was correct.

The French defender stated: "Big matches in the Champions League are decided by small details, and that's what happened today. We didn't have many chances, but we took the only opportunity and scored the winning goal. In the end, this is football."

Konate also addressed the controversial moment when Paris Saint-Germain players called for a penalty or a red card against him, saying: "There is video technology and all the tools available to review the footage, so why should there be a foul? If I had really pushed Barkola hard, I would have been sent off, but I didn't do that."

He continued: "Yes, there was contact, but I didn't use force. By nature, I am a strong player, but I didn't apply any force in the challenge; I just placed my arm, and that's all. If I had pushed with real force, we could discuss the matter, but the intervention was very slight."