Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta confessed that the Catalans failed to show their real possibilities through a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas in Li League last night, but the judging has also influenced the outcome of the game. Chief Arbitrator Antonio Matou Laos did not notice a hand game outside the penalty area of the home keeper Leandro Chisichola at the end of the first half, which automatically means a red card for the Argentine.
After the break, Las Palmas received a penalty shootout after the ball touched Lukka Ding's hand in the penalty box, allowing Jonathan Cayer to equalize after Lionel Messi had given the Catalans a free kick. Barcelona remains at the top with a 5-point lead in front of Atletico Madrid. "I have always said that the work of the judges is difficult, but in the first half the opponent's goalkeeper obviously plays with his hand outside the penalty box so that equality leaves us with a bitter taste in his mouth," Iniesta commented.
"Las Palmas did a great job in this match, and we missed the edge in the last third of the field to finish them, but we remain at the top, although our lead has been reduced, and this will not change our setting" he added.
The coach of the "blue-red" Ernesto Valverde was also not pleased with the decisions of Laos. "The penalty was shocking, I think the equalizer came from a non-existent penalty, and that goal gave the rival a self-confidence while we played much more hurriedly," Valverde said.
Barcelona is taking Athletico Madrid on Sunday in the 27th round of the championship, and the match may prove crucial in the fight for the title. "We lost two points at a very important moment of the season, and we knew we would play a hard-to-reach pitch, although Las Palmas is in the relegation zone." Sunday's Atletico Madrid will be the hardest fight. we try to increase it by winning against our direct competitor, "said midfielder Sergio.
source - sportal.bg
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