UCL Soccer: Barcelona suffers Champions League blow
Barcelona suffered their second loss in the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan 1-0. VAR ruled out Pedri’s goal. Follow for more UCL soccer news here!
A painful 1-0 defeat of FC Barcelona over Inter Milan at San Siro on Tuesday night. Barca are now in danger of qualifying to the Europa League with only three games left in the group stage. During the 65 minutes of the game, Barcelona displayed their worst game of the night but had chances in the end to level the game and they were denied an equalizer via VAR decision. Visit for more ucl soccer highlights here!
FIRST HALF
The first half of the match gave a glimpse of what will be the result of this match. VAR decisions have intervened in the whole match. It started when the home side claimed a clear handball by Garcia but was denied by the referee which resulted in no penalty. The game looks dead throughout the first half with both sides executing strategies and ball movement. During the extended time, Hakan Calhanoglu scored to help Inter take the lead. With an assist from Dimarco to Calhanoglu at the bottom corner kicking it from 25 yards. Inter takes the momentum!!
Barca started the first half with all possessions on their side but they failed to translate those possessions into a goal and could not create any danger on the home squad.
SECOND HALF
Barca had the same fate at the beginning of the second half. They got all the possessions they needed for the first 20 minutes. As usual, they failed to compose it into a single goal. Lewandowski’s presence was not felt in this match and the slow passing with zero penetration and accuracy really killed the Spanish side.
Similar to Barca, the home squad also struggles to replicate their performance in the first half. The game became more intense as both teams suffered a huge vulnerability on offense and neither of them could bother the defense.
During the last 10 to 20 minutes of the match, Barca became more aggressive as they intensified their ball movement and faster. Pedri scored an equalizer for the Spanish side but later on was denied by VAR decision. The Barcelona side were rob of an opportunity to draw the match.
Xavi furious at the VAR decisions
Barcelona manager Xavi was furious over the result of the match in favor of Inter Milan. The VAR decision rejected the goal by Pedri as it is shown in the footage that Ansu Fati committed a handball.
“The referee should be out here explaining why he makes these decisions, if he made mistakes or not. That would humanize them a lot more,” said Xavi. “Today I’m really unhappy. I feel there is real injustice.”
Xavi knows that this Champions League campaign would be the most difficult edition as they will face top-tier opponents. This match against Inter would be a deciding factor for their European campaign this season. “We have three more finals to come,” he said. “This is a game we have lost, but now we have two games at home from the three and they are real finals.”
“We have to show more intensity. The first half wasn’t good, we have to be self-critical – but of course we are offended today,” Xavi emphasized.
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