Enrique wants stars protected
LOSING STEAM Manager seeks action after Barcelona miss chance of closing in on Real following shock defeat at Malaga
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique claimed his star names lack protection from referees after Neymar was sent-off for the first time in his Barca career in a shock 2-0 defeat at Malaga on Saturday.
The Brazilian was booked in the first-half for delaying a Malaga free-kick by tying his shoelaces in front of the ball and then charged into Roberto Rosales 25 minutes from time to see his second yellow card.
“I think the interpretation of the yellow cards is special,” said Enrique.
“We have to have be very careful in some games because there were some ugly challenges from behind that went unpunished and tying boots was.”
Defeat leaves Barca still three points behind Real Madrid at the top of La Liga and Real also have a game in hand.
Moreover, as well as missing next weekend’s visit of Real Sociedad, Neymar could be banned for El Clasico against Real Madrid on April 23 after sarcastically applauding the officials after he was sent-off.
On a night of regrets for the Catalans, Sandro Ramirez came back to haunt Barca after being released last summer when he broke the offside trap to slot home the opener just after the half hour mark. And Malaga rounded off a famous win in the final minute when Pablo Fornals squared for Jony to fire into the net.
“They scored with their first chance thanks to our mistakes in interpreting the offside,” added Enrique. “From then on it was an uphill struggle.”
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta insists it is pointless to blame the officials their defeat to Malaga. “It was a real shame. We have missed a good opportunity to put ourselves in a favourable position to win LaLiga,” he said, as quoted by Sport.
“Hopefully we won’t slip up again but the league is more difficult. The table is how it is. The team played a good game and fought until the end, but sometimes things don’t go your way.
“I’m one of those who thinks that talking about referees won’t get you anywhere.”