There was big drama in Sunday’s El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Bernabeu, with officials ruling that Lamine Yamal’s effort had not been fumbled over the line by Los Blancos goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. It was a decision which angered Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and head coach Xavi, with both demanding that goal-line technology is introduced. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Xavi slammed La Liga’s decision not to implement goal-line technology after Barcelona’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday.
The Barcelona shot-stopper slammed an “embarrassing” VAR ruling which determined that Andriy Lunin had prevented Lamine Yamal’s shot from crossing the line at 1-1.
Los Blancos secured all three points and moved 11 points clear at the top of the table. “I can’t find the words to explain what happened on the goal line,” Ter Stegen told the media after the match.
“It’s embarrassing for football. There is a lot of money in this industry, but not for what is important.
“I don’t understand how there cannot be money to implement the technology that other leagues have.” Barca head coach Xavi also reflected on the incident in his post-match press conference and concurred with is goalkeeper’s opinion.
“I completely agree [with Ter Stegen],” Xavi added.
“It’s embarrassing that there is not goal-line technology. If we want to say this is the best league in the world, we need it.
“Everyone has seen it. What can I say? [The league] can sanction me. The images are there. The feeling today is of complete injustice.”
“I said before the match that I hoped the referee would go unnoticed and get the decisions right,” he continued. “In the end, neither of the two have happened.”
Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez twice gave Barcelona the lead, but a goal from Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham’s stoppage time strike, after a Vinicius Junior’s 18th-minute penalty, gave Carlo Ancelotti’s men three crucial points.
Xavi was pleased with his side’s display on the night, but admits that the title race “is practically done.”
“I am proud of the team, especially in the second half,” Xavi explained.
“We tried. We were good, but mistakes have cost us the defeat.
“Normally, based on how the game went, we win. We deserved the victory. We created more and defended well. We controlled the game.”
“La Liga is 38 games long, and you have to congratulate [Madrid]. They have had just one defeat all season, and the title is practically done now.”