Villarreal Coach Marcelino has criticised the decision to award a free-kick to his team rather than a penalty in the 3-2 defeat against Barcelona.
The Yellow Submarine took a two-goal lead just before the hour mark but two own goals restored parity before Lionel Messi put Barca in front for the first time.
It appeared referee Fernandez Borbalan had signalled for a Villarreal penalty in the attack that followed the third Barca goal but after consulting the assistant referee on the near side, the decision was changed to a free-kick.
AS reports Marcelino bemoaned his side’s misfortune, having suffered two injuries in the first-half before the own goals from Gabriel and Mateo Musacchio and the official’s change of mind.
“Luck is a factor and today we had very little,” he said.
“Losing 3-2 to Barca and conceding two own goals is very cruel. We could even have tied at the end.
“I think we competed against Barca through all possible adversities. It happened in the first-half and in the second.
“We must be grateful to these players. They’ve done well. I think it was unfair and then a final play was decisive.
“It’s a tough loss, with own goals, injuries and a referee who takes outside what was inside the area.”
Marcelino also offered his thoughts on Tito Vilanova, the former Barca Coach who passed away from throat cancer on Friday.
“Collectively, at the club, it’s difficult for those who knew him. I lived with a person who went through a similar process and it’s not easy,” Marcelino said.
“Losing Tito has hit us hard. We feel a great sadness. A great person and a great Coach is lost. But you have to value the person most.”
