Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has said Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism of the referee after Real Madrid’s 4-3 defeat in the Clasico on Sunday was wrong.
The Portugal captain and Los Blancos talisman told reporters after the loss at the Santiago Bernabeu that Real Madrid are always at the end of wrong decisions by referees in big games between the two rivals.
Barcelona took the three points home back to Catalonia with them after they awarded two penalties in the second half. Sergio Ramos was also sent off for the hosts – his 19th red card in his career to date.
Afterwards, Ronaldo said: “We played against 12. It’s always the same. They don’t allow us. Maybe they wanted Barca back in the League.”
But World Cup winner Xavi hit back, telling reporters that the 29-year-old Ballon d’Or winner should just accept the better team won on the night.
“Cristiano is wrong and his criticism is harsh. Barca were superior, we played better than Real Madrid and it shows in the result,” Xavi stated. He added: “As far as I’m concerned, they were all penalties, including the one from Dani Alves on Cristiano, from what I could see on the pitch.”
The rivals will lock horns again next month when they meet in the Copa del Rey final at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium.
