Pellegrini on Barca Defeat: Absurd Decisions, We Feel Helpless

Real Betis head coach Manuel Pellegrini launched a fierce criticism of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea following his side's 5-2 defeat to Barcelona in Matchday 9 of La Liga. The experienced tactician made no secret of his frustration with the officiating, claiming the decisions decided the outcome and ruined the contest.

"The feeling is one of total helplessness. The 5-2 scoreline certainly doesn't reflect what happened on the pitch. We witnessed bizarre and inexplicable decisions. We were reduced to ten men and had a goal ruled out – it was all absurd. The handball had no impact on the goal at all," said Pellegrini.

The manager analysed the controversial moments that he believes heavily tilted the match against Betis.

"For Barcelona's third goal, their player raised a high boot to head height, but VAR didn't even bother to review the incident. Our red card was the result of a provocation by Lamine Yamal. Instead of the referee warning both players, only we were punished. There was absolutely no need for such inconsistency. As for our disallowed goal – Cucho was setting himself to chest the ball down when he was shoved by a defender. It happened 30 metres from goal and had nothing to do with the finish. It all started from that push. It's a shame such decisions ruined the spectacle in front of 60,000 fans in the stands," Pellegrini fumed.

He stressed that the match was completely evenly matched up until 3-2, despite his side facing the strongest team in the league.

Betis currently sit 3rd in the La Liga standings with 19 points.