Barca coach Xavi Hernandez criticised the refereeing in Man Utd draw
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez spoke at a press conference after the draw at home to Manchester United. The 'Cules' coach stressed: "It's a very clear penalty, they didn't award a smiliar one to us in Milan and they didn't do it today". "It's a very clear handball, I think it's unbelievable.
1 year ago
A thrilling match was played at the Camp Nou between Barcelona and Manchester United in the first leg of the Europa League round of 32. After the 2-2 draw, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez spoke at a press conference about Pedri, Raphinha and the penalties that, according to him, were not awarded to his team.
"It was a penalty. Yes, it was a very clear penalty. The hands were not in a natural position. My comments are not going to change anything, but I think it was a penalty," he began in relation to the controversy at the end of the game over a ball that ended up hitting Fred's hand.
Xavi went on to comment on the play that could have changed the final result. "It's a very clear penalty. They didn't award a similar one to us in Milan in the Champions League and they didn't do it today. It's a very clear handball. What's more, the fourth official told me that he reviewed it. I think it's unbelievable," he added.
Regarding the substitution of Sergi Roberto for Pedri, the coach said: "He felt some discomfort in his thigh. We'll see how he is tomorrow and what the tests say," he replied. The good news came from Xavi: "We'll probably get Busquets back for Sunday. On the other hand, he said that Ousmane Dembele is not yet fit.
As for Raphinha, the scorer of the second goal, who was substituted in the second half and showed his anger, Xavi explained that he thinks the player's reaction is "perfect". "I understand him perfectly. Then he came to me to apologise and I told him that I understand. I tell them that they have to be angry with the coach. I think that's fine. I see it as very positive", he said of the matter.
On the other hand, asked about the 'Negreira case', Xavi again referred to the club's statement and said that he "never wants to win by cheating", that if he ever "saw that" he would "leave".
"It was a penalty. Yes, it was a very clear penalty. The hands were not in a natural position. My comments are not going to change anything, but I think it was a penalty," he began in relation to the controversy at the end of the game over a ball that ended up hitting Fred's hand.
Xavi went on to comment on the play that could have changed the final result. "It's a very clear penalty. They didn't award a similar one to us in Milan in the Champions League and they didn't do it today. It's a very clear handball. What's more, the fourth official told me that he reviewed it. I think it's unbelievable," he added.
Regarding the substitution of Sergi Roberto for Pedri, the coach said: "He felt some discomfort in his thigh. We'll see how he is tomorrow and what the tests say," he replied. The good news came from Xavi: "We'll probably get Busquets back for Sunday. On the other hand, he said that Ousmane Dembele is not yet fit.
As for Raphinha, the scorer of the second goal, who was substituted in the second half and showed his anger, Xavi explained that he thinks the player's reaction is "perfect". "I understand him perfectly. Then he came to me to apologise and I told him that I understand. I tell them that they have to be angry with the coach. I think that's fine. I see it as very positive", he said of the matter.
On the other hand, asked about the 'Negreira case', Xavi again referred to the club's statement and said that he "never wants to win by cheating", that if he ever "saw that" he would "leave".
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