FC Barcelona Crashes Out of Champions League, Xavi Blames Referee
Blaugrana Coach Expresses Frustration After PSG Defeat
Paris Saint-Germain stunned FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, leaving the Catalan giants in disarray. After a pulsating 4-4 aggregate scoreline, the Parisians emerged victorious, sending Barcelona crashing out of the tournament.
In the aftermath of the disappointing result, Barcelona coach Xavi was quick to pin the blame on referee Istvan Kovacs. "We were the better team tonight, but the referee made decisive mistakes against us," Xavi lamented. "The red card to Ronald Araujo changed the momentum of the game."
Xavi's comments echoed a wider sentiment within the Barcelona camp. Club president Joan Laporta accused Kovacs of "robbing" Barcelona of a place in the semifinals. "We were clearly the superior side, but the refereeing was biased," Laporta claimed.
However, some analysts have argued that Barcelona's collapse had more to do with internal issues than external factors. Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique suggested that the team lacked leadership and cohesion on the pitch.
"We didn't play as a unit," Pique admitted. "We made too many mistakes and we paid the price. It's not about the referee. We have to look at ourselves and take responsibility."
The elimination from the Champions League marks a major setback for Barcelona, who were hoping to reclaim their European glory days. Xavi's position as coach is now under scrutiny, as fans and critics alike question his ability to guide the team back to success.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain will face Real Madrid in the semifinals of the Champions League. The French club will be seeking their first Champions League title, while Real Madrid will be looking to add to their record-breaking haul of 13 European crowns.
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