“It’s a penalty like a cathedral, it seems incredible to me”
“At no time would I want to win with cheats”
MADRID, 16 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of FC Barcelona, Xavi Hernández, was “proud” of his team despite the draw (2-2) this Thursday against Manchester United, due to “a tremendous reaction” on a European stage to which he returned after bad experiences, at the same time that he regretted “a penalty like a cathedral” that the referee did not indicate.
“I have the feeling of being satisfied despite the draw, of having competed with a rival that has a spectacular level. They are one of the best teams in Europe right now. We have dominated at many times, we have matched them in intensity, and I am left with the final stage that we have managed to get the character. In Europe we were with a drop in mental level and now we have shown to have a tremendous reaction, “he said at a press conference at the Camp Nou.
The culé coach already assessed what awaits him next week in a round in which he will not be able to count on Gavi, due to suspension, nor with an injured Pedri this Thursday in the first half. “On paper the game at Old Trafford is very intense, with even more passion. Today we could have won, we’ll see what happens. I’m proud of the team despite the draw,” he said.
“We have alternatives that can add a lot. Pedri is a spectacular player and a very important loss but we are going to try not to show it. We will recover Busquets for Sunday, Dembélé, no, let’s see what Pedri has”, he pointed out, Accepting Raphinha’s anger at being replaced.
On the other hand, Xavi was asked about the complaints he made to the referee after the game, especially for a penalty not awarded in discount. “It’s a penalty like a cathedral, the second. How are you going to feel. In Milan, in the Champions League, they didn’t call it either. They are very clear hands, it seems incredible to me,” he said.
“I refer to the club’s statement. At no time would I like to win by cheating, otherwise I would go home. I am a fair person and I want to win on the field, never outside,” he finished on the case known this Wednesday, that the The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating whether a former vice president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) received payments from FC Barcelona for advising the Barça club while he was in office.