Xavi Hernandez says that any discussion of VAR following Barcelona's significant 2-1 victory over arch enemies Real Madrid is a "joke."
The Barca boss' comments come after rival manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed that he's in "doubt" over the hotly-debated decision rule out a potential late winner for his side during Sunday's El Clasico matchup which was billed as a LaLiga title decider. Ancelotti's Los Blancos thought they'd beaten Barcelona when Marco Asensio netted a goal against the run of play at the Camp Nou in the dying embers.
After a check for offside, however, Spain international Asensio was deemed to have been offside and replays appeared to show that he was marginally ahead of Barca defender Jules Kounde when Dani Carvajal crossed the ball in. Soon after, the hosts scored a 92nd-minute winner of their own through substitute Franck Kessie and this time it counted, putting Xavi's Barcelona 12 points ahead of their bitter rivals with as many games to go.
Real Madrid had taken an early lead when Vinicius Junior's cross was deflected in via Ronald Araujo's torso, only for team-mate Sergi Roberto to equalise just before half-time and leave an open contest in the balance throughout the second period. For a moment towards the end, it looked as if Asensio's strike had cut the gap at the top of the table to just six points, only for VAR to rule it offside and break Los Blancos hearts.
Ancelotti, though, isn't convinced that it was right call. "We did not win because of an offside that we're still doubtful about," the Italian told reporters. "It was not so sure. We have doubts about it, and we go back to Madrid with this doubt."
Then came Xavi's turn to face the media, and as quoted by Sport, he admitted that he was "surprised" by Ancelotti's comments before declaring: "It's a scientific question. It is clearly offside and there is no doubt. If people are talking about the VAR today, it's a joke. The offside is very clear."
Not only were their opinions on the VAR incident contrasting, but also their moods after the result. Barca are now firmly in the driving seat, but Xavi doesn't believe that the title race is over just yet.
"We have only won the Super Cup [this season], but I have the feeling that this league, only we can lose it," the Spaniard noted, as Barcelona close in on a first Spanish crown since 2019. "You saw at the end of the game, there was a lot of joy, satisfaction, we can't forget where we came from."
Referencing his side's 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture away from home, Xavi added: "In October after the Bernabeu, we were three points behind, we've gained 15 points on Madrid. That says something about our campaign."
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As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti says that they'll fight until the end for the league title, and go for the two other trophies which remain up for grabs this season - the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
"We are going to fight for all competitions, to the maximum," he vowed. "We have to try to play like this again. If we play like this we will win something, for sure."
While they'll face Premier League giants Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals, Ancelotti and co are tasked with overturning a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Barca in their Copa del Rey semi-final second leg. As serial winners, Real Madrid have only gone without a trophy in one of their last 12 seasons.
