The Catalan coach did not waste any time to respond to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s rant at refereeing controversies that marred their Champions League quarter-final fixture.
Barcelona won their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against AC Milan with an impressive 3-1 win at the Camp Nou. Before the match had even ended, the corridors of power had refereeing controversies whispered everywhere.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 came out in the open, attributing their defeat to poor officiating. Continuing on the topic, the Swedish international added that he could empathize with Real Madrid who consistently complain after returning from the Camp Nou.
"It seems like Uefa wants a certain two teams in the Champions League final. Now I understand how Mourinho feels every time he comes to Camp Nou."
Pep Guardiola was quick to respond on the matter and believes Ibrahimovic’s time for talking is up and believes he should have made himself heard on the pitch.
"The valuation of Mr. Ibrahimovic are for his coach, not me. Now he has become the friend of Mourinho. If Mr. Ibrahimovic says that it is thanks to the referees as well, but five times in the semifinals and our players speak on the field, which is where
you should discuss things," the Catalan coach replied.
Guardiola also dismissed claims of the penalties given in favour of Barcelona being harsh on their Italian counterparts. The 41-year-old commented that it was evident in the replays if the referee had erred in his judgment or not.
The former Spanish international refused to talk about the performance of the match officials and believes they should be left alone. He stated that decisions can go in anyone's favour and accepted that it is all part and parcel of the game.
With progress to UEFA Champions League semi-finals guaranteed, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 return their attention to La Liga title race. For the first time in four years, the outfit from Catalunya finds itself in unchartered territory as they trail Real Madrid by 6 points.
They resume their Primera Division campaign with a trip to La Romareda, pitting their wits against Michel’s resurgent Real Zaragoza side.
Odds are heavily stacked in favour of La Blaugrana, as they look for their 9th successive league win.
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