Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he turned into outraged at what he believed were refereeing injustices after two handball decisions went in opposition to his side in Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored the handiest purpose of the game in first-half of stoppage time, however the healthy ended in controversy when Barca had an equaliser dominated out for handball earlier than they had been denied a past due penalty when Denzel Dumfries appeared to address the ball in the location.
Inter have six points after three games in group C, three fewer than leaders Bayern Munich and three greater than Barca. Inter and Barca meet once more next Wednesday at Camp Nou.
“i am indignant and indignant about what we’ve visible, it is an injustice,” Xavi fumed in a news convention after the sport at the San Siro.
“I said it on Monday and i have to say it again: the referees must pop out and give an explanation for themselves because I don’t recognize whatever.
“[The referee] did not want to provide me an evidence after the sport. Referees have to talk; I cannot talk approximately a decision i have not made. For me, [the decisions were] crystal clean. I do not understand it in any respect.”
Pedri’s 66th-minute could-be equaliser became ruled out due to a handball by using Ansu Fati in the construct-up, despite the fact that Xavi argued that, as it was involuntary and Ansu turned into now not the scorer, the purpose should have stood.
Barca’s fury increased in stoppage time whilst a likely handball through Dumfries, taking the ball away from Ansu inside the container, was not given as a penalty. The play changed into reviewed by using VAR, but the referee did no longer get known as to the pitch side screen, as he had completed while cancelling Pedri’s aim.
“in case you are asking how i am, i’m outraged,” Xavi persevered. “I don’t understand something. If Ansu handballs it [involuntarily] however a person else then scores, it’s a purpose. And they disallowed it.
“As for the alternative one [Dumfries’ possible handball]… I simply do no longer understand. It’s an injustice, I cannot hide it. The referees have to talk.”
Inter educate Simone Inzaghi said he did no longer see the incidents, who prefer to awareness on a memorable win for his facet, who got here into the sport on the back of a fourth defeat in 8 Serie A video games.
“It gives us splendid self assurance beating a crew of this great,” he stated. “We virtually wished it. I used to be feeling good enough because on Saturday [a 2-1 loss to Roma], I noticed accurate things from the crew, however with mistakes which in different matches wouldn’t have fee us.”
Xavi also conceded that Barca need to be self-crucial after a second consecutive Champions League defeat left their chances of progression to the ultimate sixteen striking inside the stability.
Inter had the fine of a scrappy first half, with Calhanoglu drawing a terrific save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen earlier than the home facet had a penalty overturned and a purpose dominated out for offside.
Calhanoglu then gave Inzaghi’s facet the lead simply earlier than the damage. Barca rallied in the 2nd 1/2 but could not damage down the Italians’ cussed backline.
“We additionally need to be self-critical, past the refereeing choices,” Xavi said. “We ought to play better, despite the fact that we nevertheless deserved at least a draw.
“however it’s no longer the worst sport we’ve got played this season. Inside the 2d half of, we have been accurate; in the final half of an hour superb. We had them pinned back, we attempted…
“the primary half of turned into no longer excellent sufficient for a Champions League recreation. We must be greater dynamic, faster and feature higher ball circulation. Now we’re left in an uncomfortable scenario. We’ve got 3 games left, all finals, and two at domestic.
“i am concerned about the defeat because we’ve 3 factors, Inter six and Bayern nine. We are in a hard role and we can not slip up again.”
