De Jong lashes out at Gil Manzano after Real Sociedad 2-1 Barcelona: ‘He can’t behave like that’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona were left frustrated and disappointed as the team fell to a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad away at the Reale Arena on Sunday night.

After hitting the woodwork several times and having goals disallowed, the Blaugrana left the pitch exasperated, with some of the match officiating from referee Jesus Gil Manzano raising eyebrows.

De Jong criticises Gil Manzano

Speaking to DAZN after the match, Barcelona’s captain on the night, Frenkie de Jong, hit out at Gil Manzano, admonishing his behaviour and his decisions.

“You can’t even talk to him. I don’t understand it. I’m the captain and I can talk to the referee, but he looks at me as if he’s above you. It’s very frustrating. He can’t behave like that,” De Jong complained.

The midfielder also insisted on one specific incident, when he was booked for speaking to the referee, as he said:

“I tell him to keep an eye on the time because they take too long to take the kick, it’s not even ten seconds, and he gives me a card. I think it’s crazy, but that’s the way it is.”

De Jong was unhappy with Gil Manzano. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Regarding the disallowed goal by Lamine Yamal, the Dutchman sounded more resigned than angry.

“If it is offside, it is offside. There is no other way. I did not see it, but they told us it was not. Something similar happened here last year, but in the end, that is how it is,” he said.

Talking about the team’s performance and the result on the night, De Jong acknowledged the team’s ruthlessness in front of the goal, saying:

“I think we deserved to win. We had many chances and we played well, but in the end football is about putting the ball in. We did not do it and their goalkeeper was very good.”

De Jong’s opinion on the match officiating was echoed by manager Hansi Flick, who was also critical of Manzano. Barcelona will now hope to bounce back when they face Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League this week.