The Barcelona manager Hansi Flick defended the use of the video assistant referees (VAR) after Rayo Vallecano were left fuming following a number of controversial decisions during Monday’s match in La Liga.
Rayo should still have scored an equaliser in added time when De Frutos missed a header from close-range in added time.
The Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski scored the winner from the penalty spot in the first-half following a long VAR review over a foul inside the box that the referee did not catch on first sight.
Rayo also complained after they were denied a penalty and were further angered when they were denied an equaliser as they thought Jorge de Frutos’ strike was harshly ruled out in the 42nd minute.
Despite Barça dominating possession, Rayo still looked the more dangerous of the two sides, forcing goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to put in a brilliant performance between the posts to frustrate their efforts.
