US reaction as Barcelona lose 2-1 amid three disallowed goals and VAR fury | OneFootball

Barcelona lost 2-1 at Real Sociedad’s Reale Arena, seven days after lifting the Spanish Supercopa, in a night riddled with controversy. Three Barcelona goals were chalked off amid four VAR interventions, and Carlos Soler was sent off late on for a challenge on Pedri González.

In a fraught first half, efforts from Fermín López, Lamine Yamal and Frenkie de Jong were disallowed, and a penalty appeal for Yamal was rejected.

Barcelona struck the woodwork five times. La Real have now recorded back to back home wins against the visitors, and the defeat ended Barcelona’s unbeaten run. In the table they sit one point ahead of Madrid, with Atlético level on points with Villarreal.

Reaction in the United States was immediate. Some fans cried robbery and alleged bias, while others argued the calls were right, noting a prior foul on the first and a marginal offside on Yamal’s boot for the second.

“I think you cannot even speak to him. Even as captain he looks at me as if he is above you, I do not think you can officiate like that,” said Frenkie de Jong about referee Jesús Gil Manzano, speaking to LaLiga.

Supporters also revisited last season’s Real Sociedad v Barça, likewise overseen by Gil Manzano, when Robert Lewandowski had a 12th minute strike ruled out. Hansi Flick acknowledged the echo post match and asked if it was the same VAR, a reporter replied it was Del Cerro Grande.

Source: AS