Manchester United were not the only side rueing controversial refereeing decisions in the Europa League draw with Barcelona, as Xavi made his dissatisfaction with one call clear.
Fred escaped a potential penalty for handling a Sergi Roberto effort late in the game, with the score level at 2-2, as both Maurizio Mariani and VAR decided not to punish the Brazilian midfielder.
“It's a penalty like a cathedral,” Xavi told reporters, using a colloquial phrase that translates to the decision being a monumental error.
”Already at Inter Milan in the Champions League they didn't give it to us, here either. I don't know how we’ll get a penalty for handball.
“It seems incredible to me. They said VAR had checked it.”
Xavi also spoke out on another flashpoint in a thrilling game as Barcelona winger Raphinha made his fury known at being substituted late on in the draw.
“I understand it perfectly,” the coach insisted. “It’s happened to me before.
“But I [made the change] for the good of the team, never to single him out. Now he has apologised but he doesn't have to. I told him, ‘Calm down, I understand you’.
“What would be bad is if he happy about coming off. That’s the attitude. I don't see it as negative, I see it in a very positive way because he wants to be here, to play.
“I always tell them that they have to get angry. A bad attitude, no, but they have to get angry and, if they want, insult me.”
