"If I speak, they may sanction me" - Xavi seemingly enraged by refereeing decisions against Barcelona in 3-2 Real Madrid loss

Barcelona boss Xavi was seemingly disappointed with a couple of refereeing decisions in the Blaugrana's 3-2 La Liga defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday (April 21).

In what was a thrilling Clasico, a couple of controversial decisions went the way of the home side, eventually helping them win the important league match. Andreas Christensen opened the scoring in the sixth minute, after which Lucas Vazquez made the most of Pau Cubarsi's challenge inside the area.

Vinicius Junior equalised from the spot (18'), and then Barcelona were denied the chance to go ahead in the 28th minute. Lamine Yamal's flick was deemed to have been stopped by Andriy Lunin just before the ball crossed the line.

Fermin Lopez put the Catalans ahead in the second half (69'), only to see his team lose the tie eventually after goals from Vazquez (73') and Jude Bellingham (90+1').

Speaking about those decisions after the match, Xavi said (via Fabrizio Romano):

"We were the best team tonight and we deserved to win. The future with those young talents will be bright for Barca. I don't need to say anything about the referee, everyone has seen it already- if I speak they may sanction me, the images are there."

The Blaugrana enjoyed 54% possession and managed an attempt more (15 to 14) than the La Liga leaders while creating better opportunities as well. Real Madrid are now 11 points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the top of the league standings.

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Carlo Ancelotti reacts to controversial moments from Barcelona v Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti backed the referee's decisions that were seemingly controversial during Barcelona's 3-2 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The former Everton manager first claimed that the penalty on Vazquez was clear while stating that the ball was not over the goal line following Yamal's flick. Ancelotti said after the game (via Managing Madrid):

"The possible goal was not a goal. The ball did not go in. The penalty was clear to me. I'll take the game, it was good on our part and also on Barcelona's part. It was a high-level match."

Real Madrid can now turn their attention to progressing further in the Champions League. They're gearing up to face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their semi-final tie on April 30 at the Allianz Arena.