SUMMARY
- FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez blames referee Istvan Kovacs after losing 4–1 to PSG
- It is unclear if Xavi will continue his coaching career with FC Barcelona.
FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has made his feelings clear after FC Barcelona was knocked out of the Champions League by PSG. After a nail-biting 90 minutes of peak Champions League soccer, PSG made it through to the semifinals with a 6-4 aggregate win. In what has been an entertaining quarterfinal tie, Xavi’s post-match comments have further spiced things up.
It didn’t take long for FC Barcelona to take the lead after 16-year-old Lamine Yamal’s pass was turned in by Raphinha, who was also the star of the first leg. However, coach Xavi Hernandez’s joy was short-lived as center-back Ronald Araujo was controversially sent off by referee Istvan Kovacs for a foul on Bradley Barcola. It turned out to be the boost PSG needed as FC Barcelona’s prodigal son Ousmane Dembele scored on his return.
PSG started the second half in dominating form and quickly reaped dividends as Vitinha’s stunning effort in the 54th minute equalized the tie. PSG completed their comeback in the 61st minute with Kylian Mbappe scoring from the spot after Dembele was brought down by Joao Cancelo in the box. Mbappe‘s 89th-minute goal after a breathtaking counterattack proved to be the final nail in the coffin as PSG won the second leg 4-1.
🚨 Xavi: “It’s a pity, our Champions League is over due to referee’s mistake”.
“I just told the referee that he’s been a disaster. It’s the reality”. pic.twitter.com/BhzKc0UMAu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 16, 2024
After the match, Xavi Hernandez pulled no punches against Istvan Kovacs and blasted the referee in the post-match interview. Xavi said, “It’s a pity, our Champions League is over due to referee’s mistake.” The FC Barcelona coach also revealed that he had rebuked the referee after the match ended for his “disastrous” decisions. Lastly, Xavi blamed the referee for sending off Araujo and for ruining his team’s season-long efforts.
Will Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona stint end without a trophy?
It seems Xavi Hernandez won’t be extending his stay as FC Barcelona coach following his side’s dismal exit from the Champions League. Xavi had already announced his departure from the club at the end of this season back in January this year. However, there were rumors that the 44-year-old could change his mind depending on how his team finished this season.
🚨🔵🔴 Barça president Laporta on Xavi’s future: “I feel that the situation with Xavi is still open and can change”.
“We will talk again at the end of the season”, told @esport3. pic.twitter.com/0EwjDwJyJU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 15, 2024
Even before the game today, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta stated that he is yet to make a decision about Xavi’s future. However, following the second-leg defeat, it’s unlikely that the former FC Barcelona skipper would like to stay on as the club’s head coach. In what could have been a fairytale ending, Xavi’s stint as the club’s manager came to an end with him getting sent off against PSG.
🚨🚨| RED CARD TO XAVI!!!!pic.twitter.com/IyWNiYL0ll
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) April 16, 2024
Xavi Hernandez‘s red card against PSG was probably the perfect way to describe his current season at the club. FC Barcelona will most likely concede their La Liga title to arch-rivals Real Madrid. The Catalan club has already been knocked out of the Copa Del Rey and failed to defend the Spanish Super Cup title against Real Madrid. Finally, any remaining hopes of a miraculous Champions League title ended with the defeat to PSG.