Xavi, Ancelotti differ on Asensio goal ruled offside by VAR

Barcelona head coach Xavi and Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti have disagreed over the decision to disallow a late goal from Marco Asensio in Sunday’s Clasico.

La Blaugrana ran out 2-1 winners at Camp Nou to move 12 points clear at the top of La Liga, all but securing their first Spanish title since 2019.

Ronald Araujo deflected the ball into his own net early on to give the visitors the lead, with Sergi Roberto equalising on the stroke of half-time.

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While Franck Kessie hammered home the winner for Barcelona in second-half stoppage time, the game could have ended very differently.

Asensio thought he had prodded Real Madrid back in front just minutes earlier, but VAR ruled it out as his shoulder was marginally offside in the build-up.

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Speaking to the media post-match, Ancelotti was unhappy at the ambiguity of this call compared to semi-automated offside decisions made in the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.

“The offside in the World Cup was clear, but today I’m left with this question. Was it offside? I don’t know. The offside with the semi-automatic seemed quite clear. The game is lost,” Ancelotti said.

Xavi was second to conduct his press conference and had heard of Ancelotti’s complaints prior to sitting down with the media.

“The offside is clear. Ancelotti’s words surprise me, he is scientific,” Xavi insisted.

“There is no more debate. I think we were better and the result is fair. 1-0 [to Real Madrid] was already unfair. The team gave everything and that fills me with pride.“