Manchester United were not the only team to bemoan controversial refereeing decisions in the Europa League draw with Barcelona, as Xavi expressed his displeasure with one in particular..
Both Maurizio Mariani and VAR decided not to penalize Fred for handling a Sergi Roberto effort late in the game, with the score tied at 2-2.
“It’s a penalty like a cathedral,” Xavi told reporters, using a colloquial phrase that translates to a monumental blunder.
“They didn’t give it to us at Inter Milan in the Champions League, and they didn’t give it to us here either. I’m not sure how we’ll get a handball penalty.
“It seems unbelievable to me. They claimed that VAR had checked it.”
Xavi also commented on another tense moment in the game, when Barcelona winger Raphinha expressed his displeasure at being substituted late in the game.
“I completely understand,” the coach insisted. “I’ve had this happen to me before.
“But I [made the change] for the good of the team, never to single him out. He has now apologized, but he does not have to. ‘Calm down, I understand you,’ I told him.
What would be bad is if he was happy to come off. That’s the mindset. I don’t see it as a negative; rather, I see it as very positive because he wants to be here and play..
“I always tell them that they must become enraged. No, they don’t have a bad attitude, but they have to get angry and, if they want, insult me.”
Leave a Reply