Image: Robert Lewandowski’s tight offside ruins Champions League milestone of Frenkie De Jong against Slavia Praha | OneFootball

After months of frustrating opposition teams with disallowed goals and tight offside calls, FC Barcelona have found themselves on the receiving end of two extremely close offside decisions in consecutive matches.

The incident at the Reale Arena is still fresh in memory, with Lamine Yamal’s goal ruled out despite semi-automated images later suggesting that no part of the Spaniard was beyond the last defender. A similar scenario unfolded against Slavia Prague, this time involving Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong.

Early in the second half at the Eden Arena, Barcelona sought a third goal to complete their comeback and strengthen their fight to finish in the top eight of the Champions League league phase. Just four minutes into the half, Frenkie de Jong appeared to score after collecting Stanek’s rebound from a Lewandowski attempt that had tested the Slavia Prague goalkeeper.

The goal was disallowed following a marginal offside call on Lewandowski. VAR reviewed the play as the decision was extremely close, and while De Jong was clearly in a legal position, the Polish striker was judged to be offside.

English referee Chris Kavanagh upheld his assistant’s call, denying the Dutch midfielder a milestone goal. Broadcast images from Movistar Plus+ Deportes highlighted just how tight the offside was, sparking debate over the semi-automated system.

Unlike the Real Sociedad game, Barcelona went on to secure the three points on this occasion, so there will be less furore around this refereeing decision.

The shame is that the subsequent finish was by Frenkie de Jong, which would have been his first Champions League goal. The Dutchman was imperious against Slavia, and a goal would have been a fitting addition.

Such marginal offside calls put the semi-automated system under scrutiny and make you wonder where the game is heading. Technology is meant to enhance it, not disrupt it. Let us wait and see how things develop.