Barcelona boss Xavi SLAMS the referee’s performance after handing out three red cards in defeat to PSG… as Spaniard questions Ronaldo Araujo’s ‘unnecessary’ dismissal
- Barcelona boss Xavi has negatively rated the referee’s performance in their loss to PSG
- Istvan Kovacs handed out three red cards to the Catalan team that evening
- “He has no excuse for diving!” Will Bukayo Saka learn from his crash in Bayern? Listen to the It all starts podcast
Barcelona coach
The biggest blow for Barca came on the half-hour mark when Ronald Araujo was judged to have brought down Bradley Barcola just before bursting into the penalty area.
“The decision has completely changed the game,” said the Barcelona coach. ‘It was too much to give a red card.
‘I told the referee that his performance was very bad. He was a disaster. He killed the badger.”
Xavi was sent off late for dissent – it was his third dismissal from the sidelines of the season. It is four reds and 22 yellows since he became Barça boss.
Ronald Araujo was dismissed in the first half of Barcelona’s 4-1 defeat to PSG on Tuesday
Xavi then criticized the referees for sending off the defender and two staff members
Goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon De la Fuente was also sent away for protesting.
“We were upset and very angry,” Xavi added. ‘We were well organized with eleven against eleven. We almost equalized through Gundogan and the 2-0 with Robert Lewandowski would have changed that too. We had clear opportunities, but were always behind, because with ten men that is very difficult.
‘It’s a shame that a season’s work has come to an end because of a decision by the referee. I would have liked to play eleven against eleven every minute. This broadcast is unnecessary.’
Luis Enrique said: ‘We started brilliantly and we knew it would be a goal-filled match. We were prepared for any scenario. We conceded a goal due to a spectacular action by Lamine (Yamal), but we showed maturity. For me it’s a farewell (to Araujo) and we played a very complete game.
‘Normally I don’t judge. I try to put myself in the referee’s shoes. I try to protest little or not at all and tell my players to keep their emotions in check.
Xavi was shown a red card late in the match for dissent from referee Istvan Kovacs
‘Today we have taken a big step forward in terms of maturity. We are ready and we are going to play against Dortmund, who won our group, so it will not be easy.”
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen added: ‘We are very disappointed.
‘The foul on Araujo can be given. When they scored the third, we had to give more in the match and take more risks. I
Ultimately, they have a lot of quality up front and every opportunity is a danger. They scored four against us and that’s hard to understand.’
