Barcelona’s Champions League aspirations crumbled spectacularly in the quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, with Xavi Hernandez laying the blame squarely on the referee, Istvan Kovacs. The Catalans, poised with a slim aggregate lead, found their advantage overturned following a controversial red card to Ronald Araujo. At that moment, Barcelona was ahead, but the dismissal turned the tide, leading to a 4-1 defeat on the night and a 6-4 aggregate loss.
Xavi did not mince words post-match, labeling Kovacs’ decision as a “disaster” and accusing it of derailing Barcelona’s entire season. This dramatic turn of events also saw Xavi himself receiving a red card, adding to the chaotic scene at Estadi Olimpic.
Quick Hits:
- Flash Point: The red card to Araujo was pivotal, shifting the momentum and unraveling Barca’s tactical setup.
- Xavi’s Reaction: The Barca coach vehemently criticized the referee’s call, which he believes cost his team dearly.
- Season Stakes: The defeat leaves Barcelona trophyless, with only a slim chance to overturn their fortunes in the upcoming El Clasico against Real Madrid.
As Barcelona gears up for their final showdown with Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A victory is crucial not just for league hopes, but also for salvaging pride in a season marred by what Xavi perceives as refereeing injustices.
