A furious Ronald Koeman raged against the referee for not awarding Barcelona a penalty in their 2-1 Clasico defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.
The Catalans had two late penalty claims as they chased the game at a rain-sodden Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, with substitute Martin Braithwaite going to ground both times after challenges from Ferland Mendy.
The setback keeps Barca third in a three-way race for La Liga, a point behind Madrid and leaders Atletico.
"If you're a Barcelona fan and you saw this game you'd be very annoyed with two of the referee's decisions. It was a clear, clear penalty and then he only gave four minutes of stoppage time," the Dutch coach told Spanish network Movistar.
Koeman struggled to contain his anger, ending his post-match interview early after asking the Movistar reporter his thoughts on the second challenge.
"Once again we just have to accept it and shut up," he added.
Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos had put Real two goals up before half time, with Oscar Mingueza netting for Barca on the hour mark. Lionel Messi hit the post from a corner in the first half while a shot from Barca substitute Ilaix Moriba came off the bar in the last minute of added time.
"In the first half we didn't play well in attack or defence," conceded Koeman. "We were better in the second and all I ask is that the referee makes the right decisions."
Real coach Zinedine Zidane said it was unfair to say his side had only won because of the penalty call.
"We should be very happy with our performance and you cannot say it was all down to the referee, we deserved the win," he said.
"If the referee says it wasn't a penalty it's because it wasn't one. The important thing from our point of view is what we did on the pitch. We made an excellent start then suffered a bit because Barca are a great side but we had a lot of chances to score the third goal. In the end the win was well deserved."
With Atletico stumbling and both Barca and Real Madrid hitting their stride, this game looked set to define, if not the title, then who would become favourites to be crowned champions in May.
The result was a riveting contest at a rain-soaked Alfredo di Stefano stadium - certainly one of the most exciting Clasicos in years - that saw both teams squander numerous chances, several efforts come back off the woodwork and Casemiro sent off in extra time.
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REAL MADRID RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois - 7, Kept things simple with the ball at his feet. Rushed out well to deny Lionel Messi but was almost caught out by a corner kick that hit the post. Had no chance of stopping Barcelona’s goal. AFP -
Lucas Vazquez - 7, Delivered a precise ball into the box for Benzema to score the opener, and also put in a good tackle to stop Pedri getting through. Should have scored his chance, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the floor. AFP -
Eder Militao - 6, Misplaced a couple of passes and while the Brazilian did well defensively, there were a few times where he needed to be stronger. Reuters -
Nacho Fernandez - 7, Executed some great last ditch defending when required and made a good intervention to stop the ball reaching Messi. May have felt he could have done more to get something on the cross that resulted in Barcelona’s goal. Picked up a booking. AFP -
Ferland Mendy - 5, Had a few shaky moments and was flat-footed when the ball came to Oscar Mingueza in the box, making the Barcelona man’s goal far easier to score. AFP -
Luka Modric - 8, Progressed the ball brilliantly, with his pass forward releasing Vinicius Junior for the run that resulted in the game’s second goal. Played another peach of a pass to the Brazilian later on. AFP -
Casemiro – 6, Was composed on the ball, with one of his runs forward helping to create a goalscoring opportunity. While the Brazilian contributed defensively, he got himself sent off late on after picking up two yellow cards. AFP -
Toni Kroos - 8, Scored the free kick that put Los Blancos 2-0 up with the help of a deflection. Was good on the ball throughout and put pressure on the opposition. Should have scored with his header. EPA -
Federico Valverde - 8, Did well to draw out Jordi Alba, creating space for Vazquez to get his cross in for Benzema to score the opener. Could easily have had a goal of his own, as he hit the post. Also contributed well defensively. AFP -
Karim Benzema - 8, Scored the opener with a wonderful flick. Was available whenever his teammates needed him, helping the team get up the pitch quickly and even put in some good defensive work. Reuters -
Vinicius Junior – 7, Threatened with brilliant bursts forward, one of which won the free kick for Real’s second. Tried to play Benzema through when he should have gone on his own. -
SUB Alvaro Odriozola (Vazquez 43’) - 6, Showed good energy to get up and down the pitch but got away with one after allowing Antoine Griezmann to lose him in the box. Almost scored with a mishit cross. AFP -
SUB Marco Asensio (Valverde 61’) - 6, Put a nice ball into the box that should have resulted in a goal and worked hard for the team. AFP -
SUB Mariano (Vinicius 72’) – N/R, Pressed from the front superbly but there were times where he rushed things a little bit when he had the ball. EPA -
SUB Marcelo (Benzema 72’) – N/R, Took over the captain’s armband and was dominant defensively from his very first duel, when he got the block on Ousmane Dembele’s attempted cross. Also had the odd moment going forward. EPA -
SUB Isco (Kroos 72’) – N/R, Scuffed an effort when a fairly good opportunity came his way, then sent another one flying well over the crossbar from a similar position. EPA -
BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 7. Fooled by Benzema’s opening goal. Could have organised his wall better for the second, but made a fine saved from Vazquez after Valverde hit the post after 34 minutes. Difficult for a goalkeeper in the non-stop torrential rain, but he reacted well to push an Odriozola cross over. AFP -
Oscar Mingueza 9. Fastest of Barca’s three central defenders and far better to deal with the pace of Vinicius than Pique, yet playing in an uncustomary back three. Got his body in front of Benzema as Madrid attacked for a third, then scored his side’s first goal after 59 minutes – the first defender to score in a clasico for seven years. Man of the match. AFP -
Ronald Araujo 7. Cleared an early Madrid attack with an overhead kick. Another fooled by Benzema’s flick and opening goal . Yellow carded for a 26th minute foul on Vinicius and later deflected a ball from the Brazilian away from goal. Reuters -
Clement Lenglet 7. Troubled by Vinicius’ pace and Madrid’s counter attacks, but looked to be fouled by Casemiro after 18 minutes inside the Madrid area. Reuters -
Sergino Dest 7. Unfortunately deflected Kroos’ free-kick past his own goalkeeper. The wall was a poor one and that, combined with a poor first half, was a major reason why Barça lost for the first time in 20 games and for the third successive time against Madrid. EPA -
Frenkie de Jong 8. In form and helped the Catalans have 67% of possession, but it wasn’t to their advantage. Played in three different positions in the 90 minutes as Barça went four at the back at half time. Reuters -
Sergio Busquets 7. A man of many clasicos – but his side lost home and away this season. He did little wrong in the shifting formation. Clashed with Vazquez – who had to leave the field in the first half. Reuters -
Jordi Alba 7. Stepped aside as Valverde ran towards Madrid’s first goal. Got his head to Madrid’s second goal but became a problem for his team – when Barça lost possession he was so far advanced that Madrid countered quickly. He had to take risks and set up Mingueza for a goal. Booked – like his manager - for complaining as he appealed for an 85th minute penalty. EPA -
Pedri 7. So intelligent as he plays between the lines. Seldom loses the ball. Picked up first yellow card but Madrid’s defence didn’t leave the space for Pedri and Barça’s attacking players to damage them. AFP -
Lionel Messi 7. Looked dangerous when he got on the ball, but Madrid’s much changed central defenders were content to soak up the pressure – with great effect – and Barça weren’t fast enough to break through them. Hit the far post with a 45th minute corner after beating Courtois. 91st minute free-kick saved by the excellent Madrid goalkeeper. Reuters -
Ousmane Dembele 6. Chosen over Griezmann. His teammates tried to bring the Frenchman – and his pace – into play. Missed a Messi cross a minute after Madrid had scored and another chance 33. Played as No 9, but he’s not a natural and was moved wider after being so isolated. AFP -
SUB: Antoine Griezmann 7. On at half time. Was put through by De Jong after 55, but the offside flag was up. Cleverly dummied by jumping over the ball to allow Mingueza to shoot and score. AFP -
SUB: Sergi Roberto 6. On for Busquets after 64. Said that his side fought until the final whistle and felt they deserved a draw – and that they must now win all their games to win the league. EPA -
SUB: Ilaix Moriba 6. On for Araujo after 72. Angered Casemiro – who lost his head. Screwed a 90th minute shot well over but then hit the crossbar after 95 in a dramatic end. Reuters -
SUB: Martin Braithwaite - On for Dembele after 81. Felt there was a handball at the end which should have been reviewed. Never any lack of effort. EPA -
SUB: Trincao - On for Pedri after 81. EPA
With the last play of the game, Barcelona substitute Ilaix Moriba rattled Real Madrid's crossbar.
"We're still in it," said Barca coach Koeman. "We've lost a game against a team who is also fighting for the league but we have eight game left and we will fight to the end."
Casemiro's red card in the 90th minute for a late challenge on Barca goalscorer Oscar Mingueza had also given Messi a free-kick and the chance for a dramatic equaliser but instead the Argentinian made it seven games now without a goal against Real Madrid, with many wondering if his 45th Clasico will be his last.
