No compensation just before the end
The VAR saves FC Barcelona’s victory
03/13/2023, 06:40 am
A late intervention by VAR ensures that FC Barcelona is apparently inexorably heading towards the Spanish championship. Against Athletic Bilbao, the club saved a narrow lead over time on the return of Robert Lewandowski.
FC Barcelona did not show any weaknesses in the fight for the Spanish football championship. The Catalans won 1-0 (1-0) at Athletic Bilbao and restored the old nine-point lead over rivals Real Madrid.
The royals had previously presented with a 3-1 (2-1) against Espanyol Barcelona. Against Bilbao, top striker Robert Lewandowski returned to Barça’s starting XI after recovering from a thigh injury. Nevertheless, the favorites initially struggled, just before the break Raphinha (45 + 1) gave the visitors the lead. In the second half, national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen secured Barcelona victory with several saves.
Shortly before the end, the league leaders were lucky again: The supposed equalizer from Bilbao’s Inaki Williams (87th) was not given after intervention by the VAR because of a handball. “It was a clear Muniain home game. We trust the referee, I’ve never felt that we won because of the referee,” said Barça coach Xavi Hernandez.
Spicy: During the week it became known that the public prosecutor’s office would bring charges against FC Barcelona – because the club had influenced referee decisions for years with many millions of euros. “I didn’t see the handball myself, I thought it was offside which it wasn’t. I then saw the replay and yes it was offside. And yes it was also handball,” said Xavi.
The Catalans are now looking towards Real: Barcelona can make a preliminary decision in the title race next Sunday (9 p.m.) with a victory in the Clásico against the royal team.