Real Betis Manager Manuel Pellegrini criticized the refereeing which he believes marred his side’s defeat. Barcelona tonight
The veteran Chilean was unhappy that three decisions in particular went against his side as Barca ran out 5-2 winners in Sevilla.
A Giovani Lo Celso goal for Betis was ruled out by VAR after Cucho Hernandez was deemed to have used his hand in the build-up, while the hosts’ Facundo Bernal was sent off after twice heading Lamine Yamal. Pellegrini was also upset that Barça’s third goal, by Gabriel Jesús, was allowed to stand.
He said: “There is definitely a sense of helplessness. To lose 5-2 does not reflect the game, because of the incidents that happened with incomprehensible and inexplicable decisions that left us outnumbered.
He (the VAR) also disallowed a goal in an absurd way, a play where my player pushes, and accidentally handles it 30 meters and is not involved in the goal.
“Also, the third goal, he puts his foot towards the head and the VAR hasn’t even checked it.
“Then there is the expulsion, in which there was a provocation by Lamine Yamal and that should be a yellow for one and the other. Instead, one is sent off and the other is cautioned. There have been incidents that have only hurt us.”
Playing against Barcelona with 10 men is not easy, Pellegrini
The dismissal certainly changed the complexion of the match with Betis 3-2 up at the time.
Yamal got a little lucky after starting the incident with Bernal before going down.
Pellegrini added: “Above all, the sending off threw the match off balance and resulted in an unreflective score. If we manage to play with Barcelona on a level playing field when we were 11 against 11…
“Playing against a team like this is not easy.”
Flick happy as Barcelona leaves
The victory maintained Barça’s 100% record and it meant that they joined the Real Madrid 1968-69 team as the only teams in the League to win their first nine games of the season.
He said: “It was not an easy game. Betis were fantastic with their speed and intensity, but we were also very good and deserved to win. It was an amazing game for the fans and football lovers.
“Everyone is at their best and that’s what I say in every press conference because I see it every day. It’s the most important thing, that they train at the highest level and do it. Now we have PSG on Tuesday and we’ll have to recover well and see what we do to manage the minutes, but for us this win today is incredible.”
Yamal got Barça going with an impressive first goal, continuing his excellent form.
Flick added: “When you see the first goal he scored it’s unbelievable. He’s the best player in the world right now. I’m very happy with his performance. Of course he’s under pressure, he’s 19 and he’s played every game, but he’s 100% focused and committed and he’s very good, his performance has been unbelievable, and that’s his attitude.”