Manolas: It's a clear penalty on Schick

The Giallorossi went out following a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Porto in the last-16 of the competition, after losing 3-1 after extra-time at the Estadio do Dragao.

The game was decided in a controversial final five minutes, as Porto were awarded a penalty after a VAR review – but Roma, despite seemingly clear contact on Patrik Schick inside the box, were not.

Following similarly controversial decisions in last year’s semi-final exit against Liverpool, Manolas was left aggravated by the circumstances of Roma’s exit.

“We had plenty of chances to make it 2-2 and effectively go through,” Manolas said.

“Then they whistle for one penalty for them, and don’t give another clear one for us. In certain games you really can’t get it wrong like that.

“There is VAR, yet the referee didn’t even go over to look at it again. For me it is a shame, because when a team gives everything out on the pitch you don’t deserve to go out in that way.”

Referee Cuneyt Cakir received advice from video officials over the Schick incident through his earpiece, but opted not to watch the action again on the VAR screen.

Asked if officials had offered any explanation, he added: “The referee said that the assistants had looked at it with VAR and there wasn’t anything there. He should have gone over and watched it himself.

“The contact was there, it’s clear. I don’t understand why these things always seem to happen to us.

"After the Liverpool game the referees apologised to us. But apologies don't really mean much in football."