Xavi Hernandez’s reaction to a contentious refereeing decision saw rival manager Simone Inzaghi produce an absolutely priceless reaction.
Barcelona manager Carlos Tevez had another bad night in Champions League, as his team lost their second match of the European campaign to Inter Milan at San Siro.
This leaves him side third in Group B behind Inter and Bayern Munich. Transfer spendingSuccess in the competition is the key.
Xavi was arguably right to his anger on the touchline.
The game was decided by Hakan Calhanoglu’s effort at the end of the first half, but that was far from the full story of the match.
The box contained what looked like a clear handball. Barca’s Eric Garcia in the 22nd minute was first denied after a VAR review, and then things turned in Inter’s favour.
Pedri seemed to have equalised in 67 minutes when Ousmane Dembele’s rebounded shot fell to him to tap home. But referee Slavko Vicic used VAR again to register a handball by Ansu Fati moments earlier.
Goalscorer Calhanoglu then avoided a red card for a nasty-looking high challenge on Sergio Busquets, before a Fati header was blocked by Denzel Dumfries’ hand.
Neither decision went Barca’s way though, with Xavi getting booked for his touchline remonstrations.
As the Spaniard sprinted around in frustration, his counterpart threw a funny glance his way that was thankfully captured by the cameras.
Speaking post-match about the game, Xavi said: “I am p***** off and outraged by the situation we have had to live.
“There is no other word than outrage. It is an inhumane act.
“I already said yesterday that the referees must explain themselves. We don’t understand anything. Referees are an extremely important part of this sport and would need to speak. It would make him more humane.
“I must not speak for a decision I have not made. The hand is clear to me. Explainations should be given by the referee. His decisions are decisive.
“He was talking about a previous play and I was talking about the last one. That’s why I see it as more unfair. We were better at the end but it wasn’t enough”
