In a heated showdown against Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona’s Champions League dreams crumbled amidst controversial refereeing decisions.
Manager Xavi, visibly incensed, vented his frustration towards referee Istvan Kovacs, labeling the decision to send off Ronald Araujo as a “disaster.”
Araujo’s expulsion, following a contentious foul denying Bradley Barcola a clear scoring opportunity, ignited a dramatic turn of events.
Barcelona, once in control, spiraled into chaos, exacerbated by Araujo’s reluctance to leave the field. With the numerical disadvantage, PSG seized the opportunity, netting crucial goals before and after halftime.
Xavi, grappling with his team’s collapse, couldn’t contain his dissatisfaction. He lamented the pivotal moment of the match, insisting that Araujo’s dismissal dictated the outcome.
Despite tactical adjustments and valiant efforts, Barcelona faltered under the weight of playing with ten men.
Reflecting on the season’s efforts, Xavi expressed deep disappointment in seeing it undone by what he perceived as an unjust decision.
Addressing the referee directly, he criticized the severity of the call, emphasizing its decisive impact on the game’s trajectory.