Xavi Blames Referee for Barcelona’s Champions League Exit

Barcelona’s Champions League hopes were dashed after a contentious match against Paris St Germain, leading to a scathing critique from manager Xavi towards the referee, Istvan Kovacs. Despite Barcelona’s early lead with a goal from Raphinha and a 3-2 victory in Paris, their dreams were shattered as they lost 4-1 in the second leg and were eliminated from the competition.

The turning point came just before the half-hour mark when Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo received a red card for a foul on Bradley Barcola, reducing Barcelona to 10 men. Xavi’s frustration boiled over as he vehemently protested the referee’s decision and was subsequently shown a red card himself. Despite being ejected from the sidelines, Xavi couldn’t contain his anger and returned to the pitch after the final whistle to express his disappointment with the referee’s performance.

In a post-match interview with Movistar Plus, Xavi didn’t mince words, labeling the referee’s performance as a “disaster” and emphasizing the detrimental impact it had on Barcelona’s season. He lamented the unnecessary expulsion of Araujo, which he believed significantly altered the course of the match. With eleven players, Barcelona had been in a promising position, controlling the game and executing their tactics effectively.

Real-time Football scores and highlights.

Following Araujo’s dismissal, PSG capitalized on their numerical advantage, with former Barcelona player Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha scoring crucial goals to tilt the tie in their favor. A penalty converted by Kylian Mbappe further cemented PSG’s lead, leaving Barcelona with an insurmountable deficit. Despite their efforts to rally, Barcelona couldn’t find a breakthrough, ultimately succumbing to defeat and ending their Champions League campaign.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong echoed Xavi’s sentiments, expressing disappointment at the outcome and acknowledging the team’s belief in their ability to progress. While the circumstances surrounding Araujo’s red card were disputed, Barcelona accepted the result and vowed to regroup for future challenges.

The defeat marked a significant setback for Barcelona, who last reached the Champions League semi-finals five years ago. With their aspirations dashed for this season, Barcelona must now focus on regaining their footing and preparing for future campaigns with renewed determination and resolve.