http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604’s claim for two penalties was turned down in their Champions League quarter-final first leg fixture against Milan, leaving the experienced defender fuming.
San Siro faithful witnessed a disciplined defensive performance by Massimiliano Allegri’s AC Milan against reigning European and Spanish champions, Barcelona.
The Italian side were favoured by some lenient officiating by match official, Joan Eriksson, who denied the Catalan outfit two clear cut penalty calls, the highlight being http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alexis-Sánchez-c4979 in the penalty area.
Barcelona captain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Carles-Puyol-c8331, was left frustrated in the match and did not shy away from voicing his opinion in the post-match conference.
The experienced defender was unhappy at the denied calls, and claimed that the referee did not want to award them decisions.
However, he admitted that La Blaugrana cannot use the poor officiating as an excuse and stated that they played a good match and only lacked success in front of the goal.
"Everyone saw what happened," Puyol was quoted in Madrid-based Spanish sports daily, AS, after the game. "As I was trying to head the ball, I had my shirt pulled.”
"The referee did not want to award us a penalty. I saw it on the screens.”
"But we do not have to look for excuses. We have to play. Refereeing is very hard.”
"We had a good match and the goal was the only thing we lacked."
On the other hand, the ever controversial, Victor Valdes, took a much stronger stance on the topic. The goalkeeper insisted that Barcelona have been on the long end of referee decisions and expressed his disappointment with the falling standards.
La Roja shot-stopper also took out time to talk about the return leg at the Camp Nou next week and believes Barcelona will have to give an improved account of their abilities in front of Les Cules.
"It is always important to score away from home," Valdes noted. "We could not do it and now we will have to work very hard in the second leg, especially in defence.”
The Champions League quarter-final decider in Catalunya is scheduled for April 3rd.
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