Barcelona were incensed after losing to Girona last night and Raphinha has had his say
Barcelona winger Raphinha claims the “rules are different” for the Catalan side when compared to other La Liga teams but says they will continue to fight “against everyone”.
The standards of refereeing in the Spanish top flight are again a major talking point following Barca’s 2-1 defeat at Girona last night. The game was settled by a late goal for the home side, scored by Fran Beltran, that ought to have been disallowed for a foul in the build-up by Claudio Echeverri on Jules Kounde.
Referee Cesar Soto Grado did not whistle for the infringement while VAR David Gálvez Rascón refused to indicate any wrongdoing on Echeverri’s part.
Barca were incensed with several players surrounding the referee but the goal stood.
The visitors were also annoyed at the fact Lamine Yamal’s first-half penalty, which hit the post, was not retaken after Bryan Gil was shown to be inside the area before the ball was kicked. Gil then got to the loose ball before Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Raphinha blasts officiating but makes Barcelona vow
Raphinha, who is one of the team captains at Camp Nou, went on Instagram this afternoon and outlined his frustration.
He said: “Well, we have many things to improve, but not just us. It’s very complicated when the rules are different, whether they’re in your favour or against you, but if we have to play against everyone to win, so be it… We’ll do it..”
It was the second defeat in five days for Hansi Flick’s side, who were thrashed 4-0 at Atletico Madrid last Thursday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.
“After losing to Atletico it was important to win today, and everyone is disappointed,” Flick said. “We’re not doing well. We’re not in a good moment. Now we have a week to work, and that’s what we’ll do. We’ll fight to come back in the coming weeks with a different mentality and a higher level. Train and play.”
The Girona setback means Barcelona are now two points behind table-topping Real Madrid after 24 rounds of the Liga season.