Carlo Ancelotti wondered about a decisive arbitration decision during the Clasico, lost on Sunday evening by Real Madrid on the lawn of FC Barcelona.
Photo credits: Pressinphoto/IconSport
La Liga experienced a major turning point on Sunday. At Camp Nou, FC Barcelona overcame Real Madrid (2-1) in the closing match of the 26th day. Led from the start on a csc from Ronald Araujo (9th), the Blaugrana of Xavi overthrew the Merengues on goals from Sergi Roberto (45th) and Franck Kessié (92nd). With 68 points, the Catalan club consolidates its leadership with now twelve lengths ahead of Real Madrid. Suffice to say that Robert Lewandowski’s partners are heading towards their first Spanish championship title since 2019.
“We return with these doubts”
Carlo Ancelotti does not digest. After the match, the Italian coach railed against a crucial refereeing decision. While the two clubs neutralized each other (1-1), Marco Asensio found the net on a service from Dani Carvajal (82nd). But the goal from the Spanish winger was disallowed for a tiny offside position. Facing the media, the coach of the White House wonders.
“We are sad, touched, but proud of the match we made. The match was complete from the first to the last minute. We did not win for an offside on which we still have doubts and we return to Madrid with these doubts (…) After the World Cup, everything was clear with the semi-automatic offside, I doubt it now . But if the VAR is right, that’s better.”
#LaPortada One millimeter from La Liga 🗞️#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/AnAvNJW3r2
— MARCA (@marca) March 19, 2023
The C1 to save face
For Casa Blanca’s greatest misfortune, the referee obviously won’t go back on his decision. More than ever distanced from the race for a new title of champion of Spain, the teammates of Karim Benzema must now concentrate their efforts on the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with a double confrontation against the English of Chelsea (12 and April 18). Real Madrid also remain in contention in the Copa del Rey. On April 5, the defending champion of the C1 will meet FC Barcelona in the semi-final return, after a 1-0 defeat at Santiago-Bernabeu.