Barcelona’s Champions League hopes were shattered as they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by PSG with a 4-6 aggregate score, a crucial moment being Ronald Araujo’s red card during the second leg at Montjuïc.
Manager Xavi Hernández voiced his frustration with the referee’s decisions after the match, labeling them as poor and disastrous.
In addition to Araujo, the club’s goalkeeping coach was also ejected, adding to Barcelona’s challenges.
Xavi highlighted Araujo’s sending-off as a pivotal moment in the match, criticizing the referee for disrupting their game plan.
While hesitant to focus on refereeing decisions, Xavi emphasized the importance of addressing such issues, stating that remaining silent is not an option.
The manager lamented the impact of the red card, noting that it undermined their season-long efforts.
He expressed his disappointment with the referee’s performance, suggesting it marred an otherwise strong Champions League campaign.
Looking forward, Xavi recognized the need to concentrate on fine details to prevent similar setbacks in the future.
He remained upbeat about Barcelona’s future prospects, confirming their commitment to return and compete in the Champions League next season.
When asked about his role in the team’s future, Xavi modestly shifted the attention to Barcelona as a whole, asserting the club’s ongoing pursuit of success regardless of individual contributions.
