Barcelona will have to win against Manchester United at Old Trafford next week in order to avoid being dumped out of two European competitions at the first opportunity this season.
After a goalless first half, the two European giants shared four goals in the second period, meaning that the tie will be decided in Manchester next Thursday.
Already without Sergio Busquets and Ousmane Dembele due to injury, Barcelona will now be without Gavi due to suspension, and may also have Pedri missing. The 20-year-old was substituted in the first half, and Barca head coach Xavi Hernandez confirmed that it was a thigh injury.
“Pedri noticed some discomfort in the quadriceps.”
Xavi was left furious with the decision not to award a penalty for an apparent handball by Man Utd midfielder Fred. He felt that it was an obvious decision.
“For me the penalty is very clear. I went to tell the referee that it was very clear. That’s my opinion. It’s not going to change anything. He says it’s close to the body and for me it’s not. It’s a clear penalty.”
FT: Barcelona 2-2 Man United
An exhilarating encounter from start to finish, the 1st leg ends all square at Camp Nou 🤝#UEL pic.twitter.com/EDV201lWlk
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 16, 2023
Substitute Sergi Roberto headed the ball towards goal inside the Manchester United box, and it appeared to strike Fred on his upper arm. Despite Barcelona’s complaints, the referee decided against giving a penalty, and VAR confirmed the decision.
@SIRDlV pic.twitter.com/tIjys2uWCU
— فيــدتـش📂 (@WhatSIRDLV) February 16, 2023
Barcelona will host Cadiz in La Liga on Sunday, before making the trip to England to take on Manchester United in the second leg next Thursday.
Image via Getty
Xavi should forget about rubbish comment on referee’s decision, they should ask Xavi why he used Alba instead of Balde and Alonso instead of Christensen, this is what he did against Bayern in UEFA champions league which makes Barca Eliminated, he didn’t learn at all, if he continue like this humm very soon
xavi have to change the lineup because Alonso isn’t good like Christensen
and Alba again use balde please 🙏🙏🙏
Xavi dont no what is coach
“Xavi was left furious with the decision not to award a penalty for an apparent handball by Man Utd midfielder Fred. He felt that it was an obvious decision.”
xavi, its not Spanish football where you can donate yourself to a penalty call, lmaooo
Xavi has not learnt from his mistakes in Europe. Playing Alonso Marcus and Kounde is an obvious error. Joules Kounde has been scoring own goals lately and silly mistakes at the back that can cause any team problems. He is better as a right back
His decision to always sub off Raphina whether he places well or not is not good for a Coach.
“Xavi was left furious with the decision not to award a penalty for an apparent handball by Man Utd midfielder Fred. He felt that it was an obvious decision.”
Yes. And the rest of the world of football was furious at the fact that the ref did not give Joules Kounde a deserved red card for blatantly body checking Marcus Rashford when it was just him and the goalkeeper… and then not even a minute later give Barcelona a free kick and United two yellow cards.
So don’t worry Xavi, you aren’t alone – we all lament the terrible decisions of the referee and the effects they will have on the entire round. The rest of us just aren’t used to having an obscene amount of calls go our way like you do, so I can understand why you’re so upset.
This guy knows it.
Well spolen!
Spoken* typo