- Xavi branded the referee as a “disaster” and attributed Barcelona’s defeat to the referee’s decisions, particularly the red card shown to Ronald Araujo.
- The red card decision, along with several other refereeing decisions, significantly impacted the game’s outcome, leading to a shift in momentum in favor of PSG.
- Xavi was also sent off for protesting a refereeing decision, highlighting the tensions and frustrations on the field.
Newsypeople- Xavi Hernández, the coach of Barcelona, expressed his frustration and disappointment over the refereeing decisions during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which led to Barcelona’s elimination from the tournament. The match ended with a 4-1 defeat for Barcelona, and Xavi criticized the Romanian referee, Istvan Kovacs, for his performance, describing him as a “disaster.”
The turning point of the match, according to Xavi, was the red card shown to Barcelona’s player Ronald Araújo for a last-man challenge on PSG’s Bradley Barcola. This decision was made in the 29th minute of the match, with Barcelona leading 1-0 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate. Xavi argued that this decision was a significant factor in Barcelona’s loss, as it changed the dynamics of the game, reducing Barcelona to 10 players and altering the course of the match.
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Xavi’s criticism extended to the overall performance of the referee, stating that Kovacs was “really bad” and that his decisions, including the red card for Araújo, marked the tie. He expressed his disbelief at the referee’s actions, particularly the decision to send off Araújo, which he considered excessive. Xavi also highlighted the impact of the red card on the game, stating that it was not good to go down to 10 players and that the red card marked everything about the match.
Furthermore, Xavi was sent off in the second half for protesting the decision not to give a penalty for a challenge by Marquinhos on Ilkay Gündogan. This action, along with the dismissal of goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente, added to the tension and frustration within the Barcelona team.
Despite the loss, Xavi acknowledged the hard work and efforts put in by the team throughout the season, expressing regret that their season’s work ended due to a single refereeing decision. He expressed a desire for the match to have been played with 11 players on the field, suggesting that the red card was unnecessary and should not have been given.
PSG manager Luis Enrique, who has had a successful career at Barcelona, including winning a historic treble as manager in the 2014-15 season, commented on the match, stating that he believed PSG would have won even without Araújo’s sending off. This statement reflects the broader context of the match, where PSG’s performance and the referee’s decisions played significant roles in the outcome.
In summary, Xavi’s criticism of the referee and the decisions made during the match highlights the importance of refereeing in the game and the impact it can have on the outcome of a match. His comments underscore the frustration and disappointment felt by the Barcelona team and fans following the match, particularly in the wake of a season’s worth of effort and achievement.
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