Xavi won’t blame referee Mateus Lahoz for disappointing derby draw

Mateu Lahoz showed 15 cards including a red card for each team as Espanyol drew 1-1 against Barcelona at Camp Nou but Blaugrana boss refuses to blame referee Lahoz for the disappointing result.

Marcos Alonso scored Barcelona’s only goal which was responded by a Joselu penalty in the 76th minute. But the real controversial decisions of Mateu Lahos was sending off Jordi Alba and Vinicius Souza which happened at the final quarter of the match.

Despite receiving a yellow card from Lahoz and being disappointed by his officiating, Xavi blames his team for the poor result.

"Mateu is a referee who controls the matches, and today escaped him,"

Xavi said to Marca.

 "Today, the match has totally got out of control.

"He is a referee who gives you the feeling that he dominates and controls the game. But today, it was not like that. I don't blame him for anything. The tie is our fault. I have to look for my own, for what I can control.

"I can't control the referee. I have said it many times. The referee would have to come out and speak and say what he has seen and what the players have told him. Jordi has told me that he has not said anything to him.

"We have created chances. From the 30th minute, we have slowed down, the intensity. We haven't attacked so well, perhaps. My feeling is that we should have won well. The penalty is an unfortunate move for us.

"We are angry with ourselves. In football, there are times when you are better, and you don't win. The team has generated a lot of danger in corners. It's a pity and we're upset."

Barcelona remains at the top of La Liga despite being on level points with Real Madrid as they have a better goal difference.

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