🚨Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini on their controversial 5–2 defeat to Barcelona: 🗣️ Manuel Pellegrini: “When you coach a football team going up against Barcelona, you don’t just hope their players have a bad day. You also hope the technology works properly and the referees make the right decisions. Unfortunately, tonight, we saw too many situations that leave us questioning whether everything was handled correctly. “We scored a goal, and it was ruled out. The referee went back more than 30 seconds to find a handball and disallow a goal that had already brought our supporters to their feet. I want someone to explain how we are supposed to understand these decisions. If there was an offence, explain it clearly, because right now, we are left with more questions than answers. “Despite everything, my players kept pushing. They kept believing, they kept fighting, and they continued to compete against one of the best attacking teams in Europe. I am proud of their mentality, but it is frustrating when you feel that your team’s hard work is being overshadowed by controversial decisions. “Then we had the incident involving Facundo Bernal and Lamine Yamal. From what I saw, Bernal was trying to get the game moving, but the situation escalated, and he ended up with a red card. I understand that putting your hands on an opponent can have serious consequences, but I want to know whether the referee properly considered everything that happened before the contact. You cannot judge an incident fairly by looking at only one part of it. “These are the moments that make you question the consistency of officiating. When you see several major decisions go against your team in the same match, naturally, questions begin to arise. We are told that managers should not complain about referees, but what are we supposed to do? Stay silent when we genuinely believe something has gone wrong? We cannot close our eyes when there is water in them and pretend everything is clear. “I don’t want to take anything away from Barcelona’s attacking quality. They scored five goals, and they have talented players who can punish your mistakes. But scoring five goals does not automatically mean every decision in the match was correct. We can accept defeat, analyse our mistakes and improve, while still demanding answers about the decisions that affected the game. “What disappoints me most is that the conversation after this match should be about football. It should be about the goals, the tactical battles and the quality on display. Instead, we are discussing disallowed goals, controversial cards and decisions that have left our players and supporters frustrated. That is not what this sport should be about. “Barcelona will walk away with the victory, but from our perspective, the result does not erase the questions surrounding this match. I would rather lose a game where everything is decided fairly than win one surrounded by controversy. Football is about winning, yes, but it is also about respect, integrity and trust. Nobody should be bigger than those principles not Barcelona, not Real Madrid, not Betis, and certainly not the officials.”