Champions League: Ref accused by Pellegrini of Barcelona favouritism
MANCHESTER CITY 0 vs FC BARCELONA 2
MANCHESTER CITY manager Manuel Pellegrini launched an astonishing tirade at referee Jonas Eriksson last night, believing the official had favoured Barcelona in their Champions League last-16 first leg tie.
Barcelona took the lead early in the second half with a contentious penalty after defender Martin Demichelis was shown a straight red card for a foul on Lionel Messi, which appeared to be outside of the box.
Pellegrini also felt Jesus Navas had been fouled in the build up and vented his anger at the official.
“The referee decided the game,” said Pellegrini. “From the beginning I felt the referee was not impartial.
“He refereed the game, Barcelona v Milan, [in the group stage] and made an important error against Barcelona. Now he rearranged it.
“He did not have any control of the game. I do not think it was a good idea having a referee from Sweden in charge.”
City struggled to escape their own half in the opening 15 minutes, as Barcelona moved the ball with typical pace and precision. But, despite their dominance in possession, goalkeeper Joe Hart remained untested and it was City who had the first sniff at goal. David Silva played Alvaro Negredo into space inside the penalty area, but the Spanish striker was forced wide and shot harmlessly across goal.
It took 32 minutes for the visitors to register a meaningful effort in reply, but Xavi’s long range drive was pushed away by Hart.
Eight minutes into the second half the match turned in Barcelona’s favour when central defender Demichelis was shown a straight red card for tripping Messi as he raced through on goal. Contact appeared to be outside of the penalty area, but referee Eriksson pointed to the spot and Messi stroked in.
Barcelona looked to capitalise on their man advantage, but Xavi fired over, then right-back Dani Alves shot inches wide across goal.
There were still glimmers of hope for City who produced a move worthy of their visitors when Yaya Toure’s long pass to Pablo Zabaleta was volleyed into the path of Silva, who controlled the ball expertly on his chest then unleashed a fierce volley which Victor Valdes did well to hold onto first time.
But in the 90th minute Barcelona took a giant stride toward the quarter-finals when Alves drove the ball through the legs of Hart.