Uproar on the VAR scene
©IMAGO
Hansi Flick suffered a setback during the fight for the Spanish championship with FC Barcelona. The former national coach’s team lost 0-1 (0-1) at Real Sociedad and suffered its second defeat of the season in La Liga. The only goal was scored by former Union player Sheraldo Becker (33rd), it was his first goal of the season.
Flick had to do without young star Lamine Yamal, seriously injured during the Champions League week (5-2 at Red Star Belgrade). Even without him, Barça started strong after seven consecutive victories in all competitions and would have taken the advantage thanks to Robert Lewandowski (13th). However, the goal was disallowed due to a possible offside position; the images in the video evidence were of Lewandowski’s toe. Flick said in the post-match press conference that it was « absolutely the wrong decision » not to give away a goal.
The Basques then became stronger and scored thanks to Becker, who crossed and finished after a long extended ball in the middle of the field. As a result, Real Sociedad surprised Barcelona on several occasions and had many good chances to extend their lead. The Catalans, who had recently been so strong offensively, were no longer able to break through the Basque defense and found themselves scoreless for the first time this season. Real Sociedad won a narrow but well-deserved victory over time.
Flick after Barça’s second defeat: ‘We can play much better’
“Barça offside”, writes the sports newspaper “AS”. “The VAR and one fateful night leave Barça empty-handed at Donosti”, specifies “Sport”. Barça continues to lead the ranking. The lead over Real Madrid is six points, but the capital’s reigning champions have played a game less.
Flick did not make excuses after the defeat, nor did he accept the absence of Lamine Yamal due to a serious contusion. “It would be easy to say that we lost because Lamine wasn’t there. Of course, every team lacks a player of such quality. But they would bear the responsibility for this defeat. “We can play much better, we showed it in the first ten or fifteen minutes,” Flick stressed. But it wasn’t his day.