Barcelona Boss Xavi Has Slammed the Referee's Performance in their Loss to PSG from la i Watch Video

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✓ Published: 17-Apr-2024

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Barcelona coach Xavi branded Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs's performance disastrous after he showed three red cards in Paris Saint Germain's 6-4 Champions League quarter-final win at the Olympic Stadium.<br/><br/>The biggest blow to Barça came on the half-hour when Ronald Araujo was adjudged to have brought down Bradley Barcola just before he burst into the area.<br/><br/>'The decision completely changed the game,' said the Barcelona coach. 'It was too much to give a red card.<br/><br/>'I told the referee his performance was very bad. He was a disaster. He killed the tie.'<br/><br/>Xavi was late sent off for dissent – his third dismissal from the touchline of the season. It's four reds and 22 yellows since he became Barça boss.<br/><br/>Goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon De la Fuente was also sent off for protesting.<br/><br/>'We were upset and very angry,' added Xavi. 'With eleven against eleven, we were well organized. We almost equalized through Gundogan and the 2-0 with Robert Lewandowski would have changed it too. We had clear chances but we were always trailing because with ten men it's very difficult.<br/><br/>'It's a shame that a season's work is finished because of a refereeing decision. I would have liked to play eleven against eleven every minute. This sending off is unnecessary.'<br/><br/>Luis Enrique said: 'We started brilliantly and we knew it was going to be a game with goals. We were prepared for any scenario. In a spectacular move from Lamine (Yamal), we conceded a goal but showed maturity. For me, it's a sending-off (of Araujo) and we played a very complete game.<br/><br/>'I don't usually judge. I try to put myself in the referee's shoes. I try to protest little or not at all and tell my players to control their emotions. <br/><br/>'Today we took a big step forward in terms of maturity. We're through and we're going to play Dortmund, who won our group so it will not be easy.'<br/><br/>Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen added: 'We are very disappointed.<br/><br/>'The foul on Araujo can be given. When they scored the third we had to give more in the game and take more risks.<br/><br/>'In the end, they have a lot of quality up front and every chance is a danger. They scored four against us and it's hard to understand.'