Barcelona’s wait for a sixth Champions League crown goes on, as they fell to a quarter-final defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. The Catalans held a 3-2 lead going into the second leg, but went on to lose 4-1 at the Estadi Olimpic, which ensured a 6-4 defeat on aggregate.
The match, and tie, changed completely when Ronald Araujo was sent off for an adjudged last man challenge on Bradley Barcola in the first half. At that point, Barcelona were 1-0 up (4-2 on aggregate), and head coach Xavi Hernandez singled out that moment as the major flash point in Montjuic.
“I think the incident with Araujo decided the tie. Up until that point, we were well organised.”
Xavi, who himself was shown a red card, believes that referee Istvan Kovacs was incorrect with his decision to send off the Uruguayan defender.
“What we’ve worked for all season is ruined by a referee’s decision. I told him that he’s been a disaster, very poor.”
The exit means that Barcelona will almost certainly end the season without a trophy, unless they can overhaul Real Madrid, which appears unlikely. However, they can take a big step towards doing that on Sunday when the two teams meet at the Santiago Bernabeu for the final El Clasico of the campaign.
JerryAbidjan
760
Xavi should be banned for making negative comments about the ref all the time let's hit 1000k likes for a petition.
Nodciknp
471
I am a Barca fan but we got beaten and that's final some marginal decisions made by refs can go for you or against you at times but I think after Arajuo was sent off Xavi kinda panicked and took of Lamine Yamal quickly. Barca were still ahead by two goals but it was still early days to start defending. Psg has very skilled and fast players and with the numerical advantage they ran riot. I think if Yamal was still there we might still have a chance on the break because he is also fast and tricky but that's football you win some and lose some. Congrats PSG.
namelesspyder
404
Well your whole team didn’t even qualify into round of 16. Even they had sh*t teams in their group stages😂😂😂. I am happy that Barca came this close and play well. At lease Barca try..
i think you forget previous year europa league game how manu kick ur ass . go man and give more money to referee so that next time u should qualify till semifinal
malablata
383
Who noticing that the among of persons on this app commenting with Barca batch had reduced and those with Man City batch had increased?......I think we are having transfer windows for fans...... 😂😂😂😂
Rj13
371
Xavi : please let me leave Spain i cant take it anymore
Foubiknpz
368
Mr Xavi remember your playing days what you did to arsenal by sending off van persie. he did not hear the whistle and kick the ball, the next thing he was sent off straight red card also 2009 against Chelsea, three clear penalty incident all not given and you went on to win the game with the help of the referee. Now you say the referee is a disgrace, what goes around comes around.
Ziah7
357
The crying has begun 😆😆
Beocemopsy
355
The foul was very clear, was it an ugly foul? No, but it stopped a clear goal scoring chance, therefore it is a straight red. Araujo made an idiotic challenge and can only blame himself. If it would’ve been in the dying minutes of the game and it was only a one goal lead it would be brilliant. But doing that challenge early in the game while you are up by 2 goals on aggregate, like how headless are you? The ref made the right call, Xavi can only blame himself for his tactical decision and Araujo and Cancelo for making major mistakes.
BAMBINO24
308
Broke and Useless Club
opanadanger
265
Remember 2016 when PSG were leading 4-0 What goes around comes around