Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez raged against his red card at Atletico Madrid.
La Blaugrana have now secured successive La Liga wins over their top four rivals this season after storming to a 3-0 victory on the road in Madrid.
Joao Felix was once again the main focus, up against his parent club, after scoring the winner in Catalonia in at the end of 2023.
Felix set Barcelona on course to three points before second half goals from Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez wrapped up the result.
However, Felix’s goal was not the only talking point of the opening 45 minutes, as Xavi was sent to the stands by referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez for dissent.
Xavi has made habit of cautions and dismissals so far this season, and he now faces another La Liga ban, but he believes the decision was unfair.
“The fourth official told me it was because of my gestures. I gesture because I’m passionate. The expulsion was unnecessary and unfair, but the important thing is the team winning,” as per DAZN, via Diario AS.
Barcelona will now head into the international break with nine league games to play in a strong position to reach the UEFA Champions League next season and they restart at home to Las Palmas on March 30.
If gestures were enough, then Vini Jr. would be carded more often than Xavi is.
Nothing against the player, but if you’re going to card someone for that at least be consistent about it.