Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez was ‘furious’ after the Champions League defeat to Inter, considering that stoppage-time penalty decision ‘an outrage.’
The game ended 1-0 at San Siro thanks to a low strike from Hakan Calhanoglu into the near bottom corner from distance.
Although Barca dominated possession, they had precious few real scoring opportunities, hitting the woodwork with Ousmane Dembele.
Pedri did have the ball in the net, but it was disallowed using VAR because Ansu Fati handled the cross.
The real controversy came in stoppages, as a Dembele cross seemed to strike the hand of Denzel Dumfries or Ansu Fati’s head, possibly both, and VAR opted after a very long silent check not to suggest an on-field review.
“I am furious and outraged by the situation we had to experience. There is no word for this other than an outrage,” Xavi told Spanish reporters.
“It is an injustice. I already said yesterday that referees need to explain their decisions. We don’t understand what was happening. The referees need to speak, it will help to humanise them as well as clarify things.
“As far as I am concerned, the handball is very clear. The referee’s decisions have therefore been decisive.”
After that, Xavi did admit that Barcelona were well below their usual standards in this Champions League showdown, which leaves Inter in second place behind runaway leaders Bayern Munich.
“We woke up too late. We had them pinned back at the end, but didn’t convert our chances. We knew that Calhanoglu’s shot from outside the box was one of their strengths, but we still have three finals left in this group.”
The teams meet again on Wednesday October 12 at Camp Nou and that could put the whole group back in contention.
“The situation is complex and we must try to get it back on track. The reality is we have two crucial games to play at home and must play them with more intensity and a higher tempo,” continued Xavi.
“This evening, we lacked the tempo that the Champions League requires. We were not up to par in the first half and our decision-making was also poor. It’s a pity, we deserved at least a draw.”
Karma is haunted back to Barcelona who used to get favored against Milan in 2 UCL knockout rounds. Shevchenko goals wrongfully disallowed against Barcelona and Puyol fouled Nesta and his barca teamate to get penalty that knockout Milan again.
Hoping for a penalty which it was is all well and good. How about ditching the old, slow and outdated tika taka, playing side to side the whole game. Like Bayern away, they had the ball and did nothing with it. Inter on the other hand played smart. They knew they would not have the ball. When they got it, they went forward with speed, purpose and desire.
Nobody speaking of the offside given on the handball in the first half. Interesting to see Xavi’s comments on it. There’s again VAR mystery why it was offside instead of a penalty to Inter.
Welcome to San Siro xavi the home of the cheats.