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After the match with Paris Saint-Germain at a press conference, Barcelona defender Dani Alves said that the team was satisfied with the result, although they could have achieved a victory.
Although indirectly, Brazilian did not hesitate to use harsh words when journalists asked him to express his opinion on the rumors spreading in public that Barcelona players simulate fouls.
"The match was great and we are satisfied with the result, although there is still a bitter taste after the game. We lost Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano, but that's how football goes. Players suffer injuries. I think scoring two goals away is a good achievement," the defender pondered.
Dani Alves was visibly irritated by the question about the referees' work in the match against the French team, and the words of Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti after the game that Barcelona players "acted a lot on the field."
The German referee Wolfgang Stark counted an obvious offside goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and after the match, Ancelotti harshly criticized the referee's decision to award a penalty to Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian was particularly upset with Barcelona's forward Alexis Sanchez, who, according to the Paris Saint-Germain manager, simulated a foul in the penalty area.
Barcelona defender has his own opinion about these events.
"I believe that in football, referees should be almost invisible, but if the referees' work is discussed on the front pages, it means that something was really wrong. It means they made mistakes. It is obvious that the referee's decisions influenced the outcome of the match, but we ourselves must try harder next time to feel calmer. I just think we need to react sharper, otherwise we will look foolish," the defender insisted.
Dani Alves indirectly also contradicted French team coach C. Ancelotti, who stated that the penalty earned by A. Sanchez was merely a "gift from the referees to Barça."
"That foul was as obvious as Pepe's foul in 2011. We need to finally say it, because as long as we stay silent, others claim it was 'theater.' We are here to speak out how we feel. Referees make mistakes, and we are too correct," the Brazilian did not hide his frustration.
