A furious Raphinha has launched a blistering attack on the officials after Barcelona’s Champions League exit, claiming “they stole the game from us” and demanding to know why referees “seem afraid of Barcelona winning.”
The Brazilian winger, sidelined for both legs with a thigh injury, watched from a distance as his teammates fell just short against Atletico Madrid. And he did not like what he saw.
Not one bit.
‘Two mistakes in a row? I can’t comprehend it’
Speaking to Fabrizio Romano after the match, Raphinha did not hold back.
“They stole the game from us,” he fumed. “The officials were very poor. It’s unbelievable the decisions they made.”
His primary grievance? The lack of yellow cards for Atletico. Despite a heated, physical contest at the Metropolitano, referee Clement Turpin did not book a single home player.
“I don’t know how many fouls Atletico committed today and the referee didn’t show them a single yellow card…”
Raphinha then turned his attention to the first leg, where Barcelona were denied a penalty after Marc Pubill appeared to handle the ball inside his own box following a short goal kick.
“One mistake in a match can happen, but two in a row? I can’t comprehend it,” he said. “I’d like to understand why referees seem afraid of Barcelona winning.”
Garcia red card: harsh but defensible
The flashpoint of the second leg came in the 80th minute. Eric Garcia was sent off after bringing down Alexander Sörloth as the striker raced towards goal.
Turpin initially showed a yellow card. VAR intervened. The referee reviewed the pitch side monitor. The yellow became a straight red.
Controversial? Yes. Defensible? Also yes.
Jules Kounde might have recovered in time to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity but “might” is not “certainly.” And in the Champions League quarter finals, referees are instructed to err on the side of protection.
Barcelona fans will disagree. Raphinha certainly does.
Musso hits back: ‘That’s ridiculous’
Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso was having none of it.
“You can’t say this match was stolen from them; that’s ridiculous,” the Argentine told reporters.
He added that Barcelona’s complaints about the two red cards were overblown. “They acted as if they should have had three penalties and we should have had four sendings off.
“We won on the pitch, 2–0 away, and when you’re the last man back, you get a red card.”
Raphinha vs Atletico fans
As if the refereeing rant was not enough, Raphinha also traded barbs with celebrating Atletico supporters after the final whistle.
His message? You will not win the semi finals.
Atletico now face Arsenal or Sporting CP in the last four. The Gunners lead 1-0 from the first leg in Portugal and are strong favourites to progress.
Raphinha will be watching. And he will be hoping his prediction comes true.
The bottom line
Barcelona are out. Raphinha is furious. And the referees are once again at the centre of the storm.
Were Atletico lucky? Perhaps. Did Barcelona have legitimate grievances? Absolutely.
But as Hansi Flick said after the match: “That’s football, and we have to accept it.”
Raphinha is not ready to accept anything. Not yet. Not after that.
