The 3-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabéu left Barcelona facing a painful moment. After the final whistle, emotions boiled over on the touchline as discussions intensified around a penalty claim that refereeing did not award in favor of Lewandowski. The incident sparked anger in the Barcelona leadership, with the frustration boiling over as the match concluded. The decision not to review the action on the VAR screen added to the tension surrounding the referee’s performance during key moments of the game.
Related
It’s okay to assess Lewandowski’s performance without excuses, but it should be examined
When the match ends, the team is surprised to find the refereeing crew in their locker room area. The Barcelona leadership enters to seek clarity on certain decisions that shaped the course of the game, and the ensuing moments reveal a volley of questions and concerns about the officiating. The room visit to the referees was noted as unexpected and notable in the postgame proceedings.
Invited to Leave the Locker Room
In the official account, it was stated that the referees invited the Barcelona delegation to leave the arbitration area after a series of discussions. The head coach did not speak about the officiating performance in public comments, while other players shared their thoughts in a more reticent manner. The central message remains that Lewandowski’s performance should be reviewed without excuses, yet the defeat remains a point of focus for further analysis and evaluation of the game’s dynamics.