Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and coach Xavi Hernandez have commented that the lack of goal-line technology in La Liga is a shame. A potential Barcelona goal against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night was ruled out due to a lack of technology.
After losing 3-2 in the end, the Barcelona coach said he felt he had been the victim of an injustice. For La Liga to be the best league in the world, goal-line technology must be added.
Barcelona has no power in the 2023–24 season that is about to end. The Spanish Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League—Xavi‘s team returned empty-handed from all competitions. The hopes of getting the La Liga trophy are far behind. In the meantime, beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu might have been some consolation for the fans! Barca went two points ahead in the match. Barca was ahead in the match. But Jude Bellingham’s goal meant that Barca lost.
In the 28th minute of the match, Lamine Yamal‘s tap from the corner was blocked by Real Madrid goalkeeper Andre Lunin. Even looking at different camera angles, it was not clear whether the ball had crossed the goal line or not. That’s why no goal was given. At the end of the match, Barca goalkeeper Ter Stegen expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of goal line technology, saying, “I can’t find words to say what happened on the goal line. It’s a shame for football. Money abounds here, but it’s not being used for the things that matter. I don’t understand why we can’t adopt the technology that other leagues have.’
Coach Xavi agreed with Ter Stegen’s words: “I completely agree with him.” Not having goalline technology is uncomfortable. If we want to make it the best league in the world, it will be needed.
In the press conference, the lack of goal-line technology was an injustice to themselves, and the Barcelona coach commented, “Everyone saw what happened.” I mean, what more can I say? League authorities can punish me. But the picture is there. Today, it seems that we have been completely wronged. As I said before the match, I hope the referee doesn’t have to think about it and will make the right decision. But nothing materialized in the end.
Before Xavi’s press conference, however, La Liga president Javier Tebas made his own argument about the lack of goal-line technology. After Yamal’s missed goal sparked criticism on social media, the La Liga chief shared a post on X that included screenshots of some of the news headlines. The news was about a mistake in goal line technology. The caption reads, ‘No Comment’.
Real Madrid are now 11 points ahead of Barcelona after winning El Clasico. With only six matches left in the league, it is only a matter of time for Madrid to win the trophy. Barca coach congratulated Real in advance: ‘La Liga is a long way of 38 matches. Congratulations to Real Madrid! They lost only one match in the entire season. The accounting for the trophy practically ends here.
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