El Clasico: FC Barcelona cruised through Real Madrid 2-1 in a thriller at Spotify Camp Nou to move 12 points clear of their arch-rival at the top of La Liga. The visitors thought they gained all three points in the El Clasico when Marco Asensio scored from close range late in the game, however, VAR ruled it out. The visitor’s disallowed goal brought a hot debate to rule out the potential winner, Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed he is in ‘doubt’ to which Barca counterpart Xavi claims the VAR discussion is a ‘joke.’ Follow La Liga LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
A massive moment in the title race! 👀
Marco Asensio had the ball in the back of the net but the Real Madrid goal was ruled out for the slightest of offsides ❌#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/QNdLTML4SZ
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 19, 2023
After the game, Ancelotti was seen as unhappy with the uncertainty of the call, to which the Italian said, ‘We did not win because of an offside that we’re still doubtful about. It was not so sure. We have doubts about it, and we go back to Madrid with this doubt.’
Unsurprisingly, Barcelona coach Xavi admitted to being ‘surprised’ by Ancelotti’s comments stating, ‘It’s a scientific question. It is clearly offside and there is no doubt. If people are talking about the VAR today, it’s a joke. The offside is very clear.’
In the game, Real Madrid took an early lead after Barcelona’s defender Ronaldo Araujo scored an own goal, however, the home side equalized through Sergi Roberto at the stroke of the half time.
With the game tied at 1-1, Madrid forward Marco Asensio beat Marc-Andre ter Stegen to score the winner only to be ruled out by VAR as replays appeared to show that he was marginally ahead of Barca defender Jules Kounde when Dani Carvajal crossed the ball. Soon after that, Franck Kessie scored an injury-time winner for Barcelona to go 12 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.
A huge win for the Catalan club in the race for the title, however, coach Xavi isn’t underplaying, and believes the title race isn’t over yet, ‘We have only won the Super Cup [this season], but I have the feeling that this league, only we can lose it,” the Spaniard noted, as Barcelona close in on a first Spanish crown since 2019. “You saw at the end of the game, there was a lot of joy, satisfaction, we can’t forget where we came from.’
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti pledges to fight till the end for the La Liga title and eyeing Copa del Rey and Champions League medals by the end of the season. The Italian commits ‘We are going to fight for all competitions, to the maximum,’
‘We have to try to play like this again. If we play like this we will win something, for sure.’
With the Blaugrana’s every step marching towards their first league title since 2019, Xavi seems to be happy with the campaign so far, referring to their 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture, the head coach added, ‘In October after the Bernabeu, we were three points behind, we’ve gained 15 points on Madrid. That says something about our campaign.’
Both sides will again meet next month at Bernabeu, as Ancelotti’s side eye to turn their 1-0 deficit to march to the Copa del Rey final.
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