FC BARCELONA

The Appeals Committee dismissed FC Barcelona’s appeal to withdraw the red card shown to Gerard Piqué and upheld the one-match ban for the defender.

This afternoon, the Appeals Committee communicated that they have dimissed FC Barcelona’s appeal to withdraw the red card shown to Gerard Piqué in the match against Sporting Gijón. The Committee upheld the one-match ban, meaning that the defender will not play against Racing Santander this Sunday. (via FCBarcelona.com)

FC Barcelona spokesperson Toni Freixa has announced that the Spanish disciplinary committee have sent them the official complaint made by the referees committee about Piqué and that the Club has five days to make any comments.

The Club received the official complaint made by the Comitè Tècnic d'Àrbitres, which had been passed on to the Comitè de Competició, concerning remarks that Gerard Piqué made after the Sporting game last Saturday. Spokesperson Toni Freixa condemned the fact that "there were just two photocopied cuttings from Madrid newspapers as proof". The Club now has five days to submit any comments to the disciplinary committee.

Freixa also reiterated the statement made by Club vice-president Josep Maria Bartomeu, that the Club will appeal against the red card Piqué received" so that he can play in the Sardinero on Sunday – we will defend our player".

Freixa also announced that Wednesday's board meeting had discussed the current state of the Club's legal proceedings against the COPE radio station after they had made allegations of doping against Barça players: "it's a civil case against the station and the journalist concerned. Last week COPE admitted that they were wrong and was an illegitimate intrusion and they would be paying 200,000 Euros as a consequence".

Freixas reminded reporters that the case had been brought "to defend the honour of our sportsmen" and that the Club now considered the case closed. "It's the end of the case when the people you have brought it against give in. Had we continued with it, we would have only been quibbling about money and our honour doesn't have a price. We'll be donating the money to a good cause". The money will go to the TV3 fund raising event -La Marató – which is aiming to raise funds to fight poverty and social exclusion and will probably be held in May.

Finally, Sr Freixas spoke of the upcoming Spanish Cup Final which will be held at the Vicente Calderón Stadium: "in the end, the Federation decided to hold it there. It's fantastic to be in the final and we are very happy to play there - as we would have been to play anywhere else that had been chosen. It's a great stadium and I know they will receive us with open arms – it'll be a great party!". (via FCBarcelona.cat)

The Competition Committee dismissed FC Barcelona’s appeal, the player will not be allowed to play against Racing Santander.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Competition Committee has suspended Gerard Piqué for one match for the straight red card he received in the game against Sporting Gijón. The Committee dismissed FC Barcelona’s appeal. Consequently, the player will not be able to play in Barça’s La Liga match against Racing Santander at El Sardinero.

According to the match report, Piqué was sent off because he “brought down an opponent and thereby impeded a goal scoring opportunity.” In addition, the player and the Club have both been fined 600 and 90 euros, respectively. (via FCBarcelona.com)

The great accuser of Piqué pulls the strings of arbitration in Spain at will. What dominates in this establishment.

Victoriano Sánchez Arminio, who turns 70 next June, has been linked to football life. He was appointed chairman of the Referees Technical Committee (TAC) in 1993, after leading 149 games in First Division League in his debut in 1976 where he spent 13 consecutive seasons. He retired from arbitration in 1989 to meet the maximum age stipulated, and that same year Ángel María Villar was appointed member of the appointment of arbitrators until four seasons later the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was appointed to finger most arbitral estate manager to replace the resigned Pedro Sánchez Sanz. There's his farm.

Sánchez Arminio takes 19 years at the arbitration group doing a "deaf who becomes the great unknown" of world football, according to a federal source, where man has a reputation for "affable, approachable and accessible." Arminio leads the complex arbitration scene "attached to their mobile," from where it serves the incidents to be presented. Their main anxieties are territorial arbitration organization "which moves a lot. People see only the football of first division and second division, but behind are 20 territorial `Other Is football that turns" say it.

His salary is around 6,000 euros net per month plus expenses, but does mask their income through a service company to which the RFEF would settle all emoluments which it receives. Arminio is based in Santander, but lives for the most days of the week in Madrid. Overnight usually at the hotel Sito in Ciudad del Fútbol, as it overnight from 160 to 180 euros, although as a federal employee has a reduction of 50 percent, so the Federation assumes that costs 90 euros each night you stay in the capital. Arminio is married and has grandchildren of those who spoke "with a passion", hence try to spend weekends in Santander to be with his family.

His big mistake in the 'Piqué affair' has been proclaimed himself 'art and part' in the complaint to the Barça player. "The words of Piqué in the Competition discuss, because we are serious statements," he said. In any case he can make that claim because neither belongs nor has representation in that body. This slip has served the Federation has given a clarion call to take on roles that do not belong.

Nevertheless, Sánchez Arminio is free to maneuver as head arbitration before Villar. One of the president's henchmen along the leading almost from the entered office in 1988. On economic issues, the RFEF not designated an endowment for the elite referees. On paper, self-managing with part of the wages paid to colleges for their rights to arbitration and the publicity they generate. This, Sánchez Arminio has to organize technical meetings and convenes in Madrid physical every two months. Your mattress in this section is the Federation itself, which covers the CTA's budget if you have red number. In fact, it Villar who has to give approval to all the powers of the CTA.

Finally, Sánchez Arminio is one of the three members who serve on the Committee on Appointments arbitration. This tripartite committee should consist of a representative of the RFEF, a representative of the Professional Football League (LFP) and a representative of consensus between the two institutions. Formerly the arbitrators themselves were those who chose the third member, but today is Sánchez Arminio who occupies that position and appoint at will with punishment and promotions. (via SPORT)

The umpire threatened of Barça center at halftime of Saturday, according to Ona FM.
So the culé spoke of "malice" in his expulsion and the referees calling for his head.

You shut up that I'm going to evict you. "That warning, addressed to Gerard Piqué, the referee gave Carlos Velasco Carballo during halftime of Saturday's match between Barça and Sporting, unveiled yesterday by Ona FM. As is well known, the referee showed the red Madrid direct central Barça in the first minute of the second half. The threat of Velasco Carballo to Piqué, according to the same source was witnessed in the tunnel at the Camp Nou for several components of the Barca team, supports the interpretation given by the player after the match, when he spoke to the press of "a little forethought. "This expression is what has led to a media report unprecedented collective and arbitration against Pique, asking for the Competition Committee punish you tomorrow. This also explains the heated talk of Piqué with Carles Naval. "You see?You had told me ", complained the officer central to Barca. Same said Piqué Saturday night what happened: "At half I told the referee that a penalty had been Keita and he saved it. He has taken 'the personal'. The referees have the right to be wrong but I have the feeling that there was some premeditation. "

The thinking aloud of Piqué opened hostilities against him in the arbitration group. The hunt is underway institutionalized for 48 hours. The referees, erected in judge and jury, using the precedent-central Barcelona target media. Victoriano Sánchez Arminio, who in his third decade in front of the Referees Technical Committee aims to break the record in the armchair of his mentor José Plaza, quickly and publicly airing 24 hours they would expose the defender axulgrana to the Committee after a penalty for the player. Sánchez Arminio speaker used his pioneering media complaint against a public entity RNE footballer, who called him Sunday to ask for words to speak it Piqué of "premeditation" in his expulsion against Sporting. Sánchez Arminio yelled and publicly, and without there being an official request by the previous group, they would denounce Piqué because "you blood boil" to doubt the honesty of referees. Yesterday called for a penalty, publicly. Particularly striking is the speed and persistence of Sanchez Arminio media in the 'Piqué case' when, for example, or saw him or heard him on a matter as scandalous as the visit of José Mourinho referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes car in the parking of Camp Nou. Nor when, a week ago, Madrid coach himself told the fourth official's game against the Lightning as "the most arrogant I've seen in my career." (via MD)

Velasco Carballo says that referee was a "kamikaze" and that the bundled "fat".

Carlos Velasco Carballo (Madrid, March 16, 1971), representing the Spanish referees at Euro has a brand almost insurmountable Barça swiping five penalties (two against Valencia and three at Sporting) in five months. Raised in the Madrid district of Aluche, Velasco has a degree in Industrial Engineering (currently on leave) and for two years is a professor at the Universidad Camilo José Cela. He teaches Rules football game in the lessons for the Técnico Deportivo Superior in Football (national coach, level III) within the Science degree in Physical Activity and Sport.

Married with two children, Velasco arbitrates over 16 years. Has a reputation for authoritarian. This was acknowledged in the newspaper ABC (1/10/12). "I am a referee with great rigor. Whoever goes around comes around. He who is before me knows," said the Spaniard, who accused him of Piqué sent off against Sporting with "premeditation" to reclaim a penalty on Keita.

Velasco also had a sink with Walter Pandiani in September 2009, when Espanyol striker today visited the Heliodoro Rodríguez de Tenerife, Madrid, Osasuna and accused of having "disrespected. I tried to help at times and I have spoken evil. Was ido a bit, "denounced the 'Rifle'.

Madrid is adjudged confessed on ABC that went "black" in its infancy in the arbitration. "I was once assaulted and tried to hit me many times, though I was a kamikaze, very brave, and I bundled fat. I have been pursued on and off the field. I have run pursued by the people. I have had serious problems, but the police took care of me. "Velasco Carballo is going to go. In "The Match of the 12 ', the COPE (27/12/11), the Aluche revealed that" I like the field where most press people. That is no option to whistle at El Sadar in Pamplona, then give it to me ".

Piqué lamented that Velasco "took the license plate" to protest to. The Spaniard and the COPE presumed to know the detail to the players arbitrates. "Everybody called her by name. I know who's in a yellow suspension, who throws the corners, penalties, fouls ...".

In 'The Rail', the BE (11.01.12), said the attack in the beginning was a "knee in the ass" and that his "mistake" most notorious was "a goal with his hand in a Jaén-Xerez, in Segunda B, which was up in Antequera. I did not see, but everyone makes mistakes, "said the referee that fails over to Barça account and do not hesitate to describe the 'Villarato' of" big lie. " (via MD)

Pep Guardiola was unhappy with the injury of Alexis had just arrived from Chile and ended up injured against Sporting Gijon.

Guardiola complained in the press conference after the game against Sporting Gijón by the loss of Alexis Sánchez injury. "It's very young, only 22 years young and eager to please and you can ... learn from this, I'm sure you will learn from this injury," he said.

And Pep himself made ​​it clear at once retired Chilean way to the locker room must learn to control their physical sensations in the matches to avoid situations like this. Alexis started on the bench but with the side marker, Pep ventured to try to turn around the marker. However, the anxiety of Chilean delivered the most attached to wear for a week long trips finally let KO before Guardiola's own anger.

Alexis se retiraba hacia el vestuario cabizbajo a grito de "¡la concha de su madre!" cuando Pep le escuchó y no pudo evitar entrar 'al trapo' con el chileno lamentándose por su lesión, tal y como muestran las imágenes de 'El Día Después' de Canal Plus: "¡La concha de mi madre para mi Alex!¡90 minutos! Usa la cabeza".

Y es que el delantero chileno cuenta con la total confianza de Pep y en las últimas semanas estaba ofreciendo su mejor rendimiento desde que aterrizara en el Camp Nou. Sin embargo, las lesiones están lastrando la primera temporada del 'Niño Maravilla' que volvió a ver cortada su progresión y estará entre 10 y 15 días en el dique seco a causa de su lesión en el adductor de su pierna derecha. (via SPORT)

The centre-back was very surprised to hear the complaint of the referees and told his classmates he did not understand anything.

Gerard Piqué came yesterday morning training at Ciutat Esportiva to work normally. The centre-back complaint knew the Referees Technical Committee announced Sunday that its president, Sanchez Arminio, and it was that one of the topics of conversation with peers. The reaction of the Blaugrana, beyond the anger that had shown itself in the mixed zone, shortly after being expelled by Velasco Carballo against Sporting, was a surprise. Piqué was totally incredulous at the news and the fact that the referees would have complained to the Competition Committee of the RFEF.

The player did not understand anything and they transmitted to their peers. The lack of criteria for assessing similar actions that have occurred this season have left dislocated. More than anger, which he felt was the main surprise and disappointment at what he considers a little understandable that increases punishment, if anything, the feeling of helplessness at having seen the red card on the field.

Backed by the rest of the players that form the template, Piqué now expected events, although I would not understand that the complaint had just become a punishment. (via SPORT)

The spokesman outlined the Club’s position on the statements made by Sánchez Arminio when he said that the Technical Referee Committee intends to report Gerard Piqué.

Toni Freixa, Board of Directors spokesman, outlined FC Barcelona’s position on the declarations made by the President of the Technical Referee Committee, Victoriano Sánchez Arminio, where he said that the Committee would report Gerard Piqué for his statements after Barça’s League match this weekend. Freixa, who gave a press conference after meeting with President Sandro Rosell, said that “our players and coaching staff have always behaved impeccably. Our players, with FC Barcelona and the national team, have been impeccable.” The spokesman petitioned that the Club’s players “deserve impeccable treatment.”

One of FC Barcelona’s commitments is to “not argue about the job referees have,” said Freixa. However, the spokesman said that “this year we aren’t having much luck [with them],” and now it appears, to Mr. Rosell, that things “are looking worse.” Freixa said that “we aren’t losing faith and we hope that we end up with no arguments in regards to the way we currently feel.”

On the statements made by Sánchez Arminio, Freixa considers that the statements are “a display to the media, an opportunistic action that raises improper comparisons in a top class competition like the Spanish League.” The spokesman also said that Piqué told the referee how he felt after the match; that exchange didn’t make it into the referee’s post-match report. Therefore, Mr. Arminio’s words “position the player in the middle of an underserved controversy.”

FC Barcelona has decided to undertake a series of actions to address the current situation. Firstly, Freixa said that “we have sent a letter to the Real Federación Español de Fútbol (RFEF) where we formally request that they inform us on the conditions and criteria that the Referee Committee follows when they report [a case] to the Competition Committee.” In the letter, Freixa said that FC Barcelona “wants to know what conditions and criteria are applied by the Competition Committee [when the Committee] acts in a disciplinary manner.” In short, “we want to know what the rules of the game are,” said Freixa.

FC Barcelona has also requested that “the composition of the Competition Committee be reviewed, it must be more representative instead of the [current] unilateral composition.”

The Club will not attend tomorrow's RFEF meeting

FC Barcelona will not attend tomorrow’s Cup Final venue meeting chaired by the RFEF, “to show our disappointment.” Freixa said that in previous meetings to choose a venue for the final that “our objective arguments were not given value. We’ll leave it in the RFEF’s hand to pick a final venue.”

The Club will appeal Piqué's card

The Club also decided to appeal the red card shown to Gerard Piqué in the match against Sporting Gijón. (via FCBarcelona.com)

President of the Competition Committee of the RFEF, Alfredo Flórez and to study the complaint be submitted by the President of the Technical Committee of RefereesSánchez Arminio, claiming a penalty on Piqué, has explained to MD that "I do not know anything about Piqué ". "Nor have I seen the score sheet and know what the player said. I know nothing," added Florez. "I will wait to receive the complaint and then study it," he insisted.

Flórez will meet on Wednesday with the other two members which form the Competition Committee and, once collected the information, consider whether the statements or not deserved Piqué penalty. (via MD)

The president of the Technical Committee of Referees didn't open the mouth for those rent of Mourinho and Stalls.

Victorian Sánchez Arminio, President of the Referees Technical Committee, also applies a double standard when ordering sanctions for those who criticize referees. Sánchez Arminio came to ask for penalty for Piqué Velasco Carballo said that "he took the plate to rest and acted with premeditation when the red me out." "Piqué statements are unfortunate and very serious, and I denounce to competition," he said on National Radio yesterday.

However, he was heard to claim any penalty for Jose Mourinho and Iker Casillas, who after they fell at the 1/4 of the Copa del Rey, were dispatched to taste with Fernando Teixeira Vitienes. The first, even had the nerve to wait in the car park leaning on his car as discovered MD. "Go artist, how to fuck you like professionals".

That day also fell short of the captain of Real Madrid, Iker Casillas, who invited the referee who was to hold the standings with the Barça players. "Go party with them to celebrate, so much dick and shit".

Two direct contempt to the arbitral group that fell into oblivion and not aroused the indignation of Sánchez Arminio, as it has happened with Piqué claiming for a penalty by the Competition Committee. (via MD)

The contempt of Casillas and Mourinho's gesture had no sanction from the referees.

If Pique sanction for his statements of last Saturday, the doubts would be cleared once and for all: there are two regulations. One for the Madrid and another for the other teams.

i told by the centre-back Catalan is punishable, what about what Casillas said after being eliminated from the Cup team? Captain merengue, referring directly to the referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes, he snapped: "Go party with them to celebrate, so much dick and shit". Nothing happened. Nor anything happened to coach his team, the Luso José Mourinho when, in the same game, Teixeira waited in the car park at the Camp Nou and said: "Artist, fuck how you like professionals".

Two direct contempt to the arbitral group that fell into oblivion and that did not motivate anybody to start research and want to do with Piqué. (via SPORT)

The president of the Association of Arbitrators has announced that Piqué to denounce to the Competition Committee.

It is clear. Just come and listen to what interests them. No act of office, theoretically, if no complaint. But of course when they want. Overall, the president of the National Committee of Arbitrators, Victoriano Sanchez Arminio, announced in a statement to Radio Nacional of Spain that will report to Gerard Piqué for his remarks after the game against Sporting.

Remember that Piqué said at halftime had told the college that Keita had been penalty and, as the defense, it became clear that, with premeditation, the referee went for him in the play of the expulsion.

"We boiled the blood. An athlete has to have respect for others," said Sánchez Arminio National Radio. And then announced that "the words of the Piqué discussed in the Competition Committee. We are serious statements."

Sánchez Arminio admitted, however, Pep Guardiola's statements were "exemplary" and announced that denounce the matter to the Competition Committee. (via SPORT)


[Sánchez Arminio, "Piqué denounce before the Committee on Competition"]

Technical Committee chair of referees, Sanchez Arminio, assured that they will denounce Piqué to the Competition Committee by the words of Barça player who said his expulsion against Sporting "was premeditated" by Velasco Carballo.

Arminio has been considered in the "The Board" National Radio of Spain that "Piqué statements are unfortunate and very serious. The de Guardiola, exemplary." Anyway, the chairman of the Referees Committee believes that an expulsion like Piqué "you blood boil. An athlete has to have respect for others."

Sánchez Arminio has insisted that "words Piqué analyze them in the competition committee. We are serious statements." But Mourinho did not complain when Teixeira waited in private car parking referee in the Camp Nou or when in the same game, Iker Casillas told the same "go partying with them."

Will have to see what decides the committee chaired by Alfredo Flórez. (via MD)

The Formula 1 driver, Fernando Alonso, says that “for anyone that loves football, coming to the Camp Nou and watching this current Barça side is a pleasure”.



Fernando Alonso, who is in Barcelona as he prepares for the new Formula 1™ World Championship, watched the match between FC Barcelona and Sporting at the Camp Nou. “Even though I’m more of an Oviedo fan than a Sporting supporter, and more an a Real Madrid man than a Barça follower, I love football and watching this current Barça side in one of the world’s best stadiums is a pleasure.” (via FCBarcelona.com)

The Barça defender praised his teammates after they earned the three points against Sporting Gijón. The Barça squad believes that in order to win the Liga the team must “win three points every week”.



FC Barcelona, after the surprising expulsion of Gerard Piqué and David Barral’s goal, reacted perfectly to take the three points against Sporting Gijón. The Azulgrana players all agree that the most important thing is to keep on winning three points each week to keep Barça’s title hopes alive.

“Our work is done, we won and we want to keep [our title hopes] alive. This is our aim week after week. The only thing we can do is win the three points every week,” said Piqué. “There weren’t any spaces, there were a lot of defenders and they didn’t attack attack us. You want to close the game out quickly in games like this, but we couldn’t do it until the end,” said the fullback.

Piqué also talked about Seydou Keita, the man that scored the go-ahead goal as the clock was winding down: “he scored an amazing goal. To score a goal in the upper 90 is worth admiring. What can I say about Keita? He’s a very important player, a key piece in this team.”

The team’s good attitude

Despite being shown a red card, the Azulgrana defender highlighted the attitude displayed by his teammates against a rock-hard Sporting side: “I’m very happy for my teammates. They were able to win a very complicated match that keeps us alive in the League.

“My teammates were magnificent, they did a brutal job despite only having 10 men on the pitch,” said Piqué.

The defender took the opportunity to tell his version of the play that earned him a straight red card: “[the foul] wasn’t worth a red card, but there’s one referee and he makes the decisions.”

Here are the statements made by the FC Barcelona players after the match:

Pedro Rodríguez:

“I’m very pleased with how the team reacted

“I’m also pleased with how the fans responded, they helped the team throughout the match

“Playing a man down, we had to be a bit more aware of their counterattacks. However, we created our chances and we managed to earn an important victory”

Andrés Iniesta:

“The distance [with Madrid] is considerable, but we have to fight until the end

“We were expecting them to shut down spaces. In the end, however, the points stay here

“The manager knows that we all want him to stay

“When an important player like Messi can’t play, we all must try a bit harder

“Once again, the team played some great football

“The game got tough after the referee’s decision, but we had to attack. Our necessity is winning three points week after week

“Being a referee is very difficult, they make their decisions within seconds

Dani Alves:

“We have to value the great work we did tonight. We’re happy

“Talking about the referees is a lost cause

“We don’t have a margin of error. We have to keep on going with this attitude, and with it we’ll keep our title hopes alive

“It’s obvious when Messi isn’t on the pitch. He’s the best player in the world

“Gerard Piqué has his reasons to be angry”. (via FCBarcelona.com)

Fernando Alonso was one of the guests by FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou stage in the game against Sporting.

Fernando Alonso is these days at the Circuit de Catalunya in training before the start of the Formula One season and taking advantage of their presence, the club invited him to the box at the Camp Nou to watch the game against Sporting Gijón.

And it is still curious presence in this game because if it is Spaniard, but of Oviedo. And if you like football but it's Madrid. Alonso arrived at Camp Nou in an Alfa Romeo. He wore a sweatshirt, white of course, and jeans. With that dress, no one can enter the box, but acknowledged that Barcelona made ​​an exception for the Formula One driver and let him be there.

Before you start the game, Alonso spoke to the cameras of Canal Plus. Although Ferrari had nullified the Asturian press appearances and Massa scheduled this weekend, Alonso did speak at the Camp Nou, at least to our knowledge, for the same Canal Plus and Barça TV. On the renewal of Guardiola, said Pep and Barça "are made ​​for each other." He added: "I love football and I have the opportunity to come and see. I was born in Oviedo, Oviedo and I'm from a little more than Madrid, but that does not mean that the spectacle of football is great," he said .. And most of the game, saying only that "it is pure entertainment and also with the Barcelona playing so well."

In the few images of his that were televised, it was pretty quiet. For many minutes, his happiness was complete. Best for Real Madrid and oviedista not win or Barca and Sporting. But in the end, won the Barcelona. And Fernando, from the front row of the box, finished applauding when the Camp Nou was already emptying. (via SPORT)

The Chilean striker has a small tear in the adductor of his right leg.

Alexis Sanchéz came on in the second half of La Liga match against Sporting Gijón, however, he couldn’t finish the match due to muscle problems. According to Barça’s Medical Services, the striker has a small tear in the adductor of his right leg. The Chilean will be out of action for 10 to 15 days. (via FCBarcelona.com)

BEST:

The victory and the team's ability to overcome the defense of the Sporting rocky and controversial refereeing decisions Velasco Carballo.


WORST:

No doubt the injury Alexis Sánchez. Guardiola does not usually throw their hands up for anything and the player seemed sore. Hopefully progress favorably but forecasts are not very promising. (via SPORT)

The coach of Sporting Gijón, Javier Clemente, has acknowledged that, despite losing to a Barcelona "superior" at the Camp Nou (3-1), the men have deserved a better result and therefore the effort he "knows by little "as achieving" a bit astounded Barça is not bad. "" In a normal development of the match, the team would not be angry. But having been twenty minutes that could have led us, I saw that my players at the end are down to the locker room a little tocaditos "admitted Clemente.

"Playing against Barça and have the opportunity to take something might not have become so easy," he explained. "Minute ten, with one draw and Barça least, was the game that can take you. I know little. Acknowledge the superiority of Barcelona, ​​but I know little."

According to the coach Basque "astounded a while Barça is not bad." "I do not know if my eternal youth will go back and party at the Camp Nou," added the matter.

In this senseClemente said that "more than one would have done to be scared and have created a fear and uncertainty. Not many rivals Barça believe him dangerous to doubt the outcome." Therefore, despite reiterate the superiority "clear" of Pep Guardiola has stated that the role of his men "is the way forward" ahead of games against direct rivals.

But he denied that his approach has been stingy, "Defensive? It depends on how you look at you. We have tried to deepen Barça, who had the ball but without depth. But being tightly closed, we have sought the input between the lines. If we had played open, we had entered from all sides. "

And, in conclusion, has avoided comment on a possible unfavorable arbitration Barça, who has claimed three penalties in the visiting area and has seen their center-backc Piqué was sent off in a rigorous way to start the second half. "I have no idea whether have hurt them. Shares in that Piqué have expelled or had whistled a foul I have no idea. I look at my stuff. 'Three penalties in our area? for even is small, "he joked. (via MD)