FC Barcelona failed to capitalize on its domination for this first Clasico of the season (2-1). First in front on the scoreboard thanks to Ilkay Gündogan’s opener in the sixth minute of play, the Blaugrana team paid for its ineffectiveness against the goal, notably with two posts on Fermin Lopez’s strike (16th) and the helmet hit of Íñigo Martínez (51st). Finally, Real Madrid relied on their victory at Casa Blanca, which regains its throne as leader in Girona. A stunning defeat for Xavi’s men, who did not hide their disappointment from the microphones of the broadcast media a few moments after the final whistle.
Barça lacks materialization
Starting with the Blaugrana captain of the afternoon, Marc-André ter Stegen. “It’s a disappointment because we played a good game throughout the game and in the end they scored the second on a rebound, they didn’t need much to score and today ‘today this was verified again’. Barça was punished at Montjuic, as confirmed by Gavi in comments collected by the Spanish press. “At the end of the day, it’s all about the details. The first goal made all the difference in the match, we cannot be so lethargic in these actions which, in the end, make the game, and we collapsed on this first goal. There’s no point in being good if we don’t win, what we want is to win and that hasn’t been the case.” Also requested, Xavi Hernandez regretted the drop in speed after the break.
Even the draw wasn’t enough for us, explained the Catalan coach on Iberian television. In the end, they seemed to be content with a draw and in the end, there was this unfortunate cross. I think we played a good game, a must-win game, but we came away with a defeat. We took a step forward in the match (…) Like all the other Culés, I am frustrated, angry and upset because I think it is unfair compared to what we saw on the pitch. Despite the bitter taste left by this setback at home, the 43-year-old coach has not forgotten the audience at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. “I want to thank the Culés, because they were great. We will continue to work hard.” Another debate that animated the meeting: arbitration. Two penalties in both areas were not called, requiring two Frenchmen and one man: Ronald Araujo.
“In the end, it’s the result that counts…”
The Uruguayan central defender also returned to the two incidents of play, where he was first held in the penalty area by Aurélien Tchouaméni before pushing Eduardo Camavinga into his own (79th). “I didn’t see the play, but at the time I thought there was a penalty. I go towards the ball to try to shoot and he pushes me away. If he doesn’t push me, I can hit the ball at the near post. I’m about to jump and he pushes me away. I think there is a penalty, or at least that there is reason to review the decision. But it is a referee’s decision and it must be respected. They are the ones who are there. It’s sad because it was a clear action that could have made it 2-0 in the first half. On the other action with Camavinga, I took cover and that’s it, he made a long pass and I advanced a little, but I don’t think it was nothing.
However, the refereeing decisions of the official, Mr. Jesús Gil Manzano, should not be a subject of controversy for Barça, as affirmed by the vice-president of FC Barcelona Rafa Yuste, who prefers to focus on the proposed game by the flock of the former Blaugrana number 6. “It seems to me that, as I sometimes say to Xavi, we always have to win by two, three or four goals. Score goals and don’t look for penalties of any kind, because in the end it’s the result that counts.”. A result which therefore does not suit the residents of Montjuic, who see its eternal rival Madrid and its neighbor Girona, winner of Celta de Vigo on Friday evening, take four points ahead in the La Liga standings after 10 days. The new era of FC Barcelona does not seem to be unanimous in Spanish football, for the moment…
