Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati has blasted Chelsea for "playing dirty" during the Blues' 1-0 win in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
- Barcelona stunned by Emma Hayes' side
- Chelsea take lead back to London
- Bonmati furious with how they played
-
Table of Contents
ToggleWHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea pulled off a sensational result in Spain as an Erin Cuthbert goal gave them a 1-0 win over reigning Champions League holders Barcelona away from home. Prior to Saturday, no team had beaten Barcelona away for five years.
- Getty
THE BIGGER PICTURE
In the second half, Barcelona were awarded a penalty for an apparent handball from Kadeisha Buchanan; Barca were preparing to take the kick, but the decision was overturned by VAR after a lengthy delay. Bonmati was left confused by the fact the penalty was not given, and also claimed that Emma Hayes' side employed "dirty" tactics.
-
WHAT BONMATI SAID
Per Mundo Deportivo, Bonmati said: "I have not understood why a penalty was called and why Mariona was preparing and then they began to review it. In the end this has to be done the other way around. It is clear that there was a prior offside by Salma, I have not seen the play and I can't say anything. If the VAR has marked this, we can't do anything.
"I am not in favor of playing with these interruptions, but we knew it. We had talked about Chelsea playing like this, which for me is playing dirty. We have warned the referee, but it is not up to us if they allow it. We have to know how to play with it."
- Getty
WHAT NEXT?
Chelsea and Barcelona will renew hostilities next weekend in the second leg. It remains to be seen if the Blues can hold their nerve and pull off an astonishing upset.
Advertisement
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Related Posts
Heather Graham, Sammy-Jo Johnson star as Rockets flex muscle
Issy Wong taken out of attack as Birmingham Phoenix see…
Leeds: Farke has "interest" in "unbelievable" star who can "dazzle"
Leeds United target Grady Diangana will leave West Bromwich Albion…
Samson, Tilak smash records like it's nobody's business to hand India 3-1 series win
Bat like nobody's business.That's how Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma…