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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

‘We Were Robbed’ – Barca Coach Criticises Referee After Defeat

'We Were Robbed' - Barca Coach Criticises Referee After Defeat

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick criticised the referee after his side were knocked out of the Champions League in a thrilling semi-final with Inter Milan.

Having been 2-0 down at half-time, Barca produced a brilliant three-goal second-half comeback to stun the San Siro and stand on the brink of the final, leading 6-5 on aggregate.

But Francesco Acerbi steered home a late equaliser for Inter to force extra time, and substitute Davide Frattesi added another to clinch a dramatic 7-6 win for the Italian club, who will face to Paris-St Germain or Arsenal in the final.

Acerbi’s goal was controversial, as Barcelona left-back Gerard Martin claimed to have been fouled as he lost the ball in the build-up, and Flick criticised Polish referee Szymon Marciniak who had a busy night.

He awarded Inter a penalty after a VAR review for a challenge by Pau Cubarsi on Lautaro Martinez that he did not deem an infringement and later reversed a decision he had signaled as a spot kick for

Barcelona, with VAR saying Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s foul on Lamine Yamal was just outside the box.

Barca’s players and bench also complained about what they thought was handball inside the box by Inter defender Acerbi and a foul by fullback Denzel Dumfries on Gerard Martin in the build-up to the equaliser which took the game to extra time.

“I don’t want to talk too much about the referee, but every decision that was 50-50 went (Inter’s) way,” German Flick told a press conference.

“I am disappointed, but not with my team. They tried everything. It’s the way it is. We are out, but next year we will try again to make the fans happy.

“It makes me sad … My team did an excellent job. I don’t like talking about the referee … I’ve told him what I think, but I’m not going to say it here what I’ve said…”

Barca were chasing a treble after winning the Copa del Rey, but will now turn their focus to LaLiga, where they top the table and on Sunday host rivals Real Madrid, who trail them by four points with four games to go.

The five-times winners were hoping to reach their first Champions League final in a decade, but were left licking their wounds ahead of Sunday’s ‘El Clasico’.

Unbeaten domestically since late December, Barcelona will try to grab a fourth consecutive victory over Real this season.

“We’ll learn from this. It’s a progression. We want to keep learning. We don’t have much time to train now, but next weekend we are back. It’s normal to be disappointed,” Flick said.

“The team deserves the respect they have earned. We play to win, we want to win titles and we have LaLiga, with a very difficult match. We have a few days to prepare for this match.

“Each player, when they get home, can look in the mirror and be proud of themselves. We’ll analyse the game calmly and see what we can do.”

 

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League Top Scorers 2025-26: Mbappe, Haaland, Osimhen Lead The Golden Boot Race

Champions League Top Scorers 2025-26: The Battle For Europe’s Most Ruthless Finisher

The race for the 2025-26 Champions League Golden Boot is shaping up into another heavyweight shootout, with Europe’s most lethal forwards firing at full throttle.

Last season, the scoring chart exploded as Raphinha and Serhou Guirassy both finished with 13 goals, one of the highest tallies in modern UCL history. It was a reminder that Europe’s attackers aren’t just competing — they’re breaking barriers.

Now, the 2025-26 campaign is delivering more fireworks as big names like Kylian Mbappe, Victor Osimhen, Erling Haaland, and Harry Kane battle for the crown.

Below is the updated top scorer ranking after matches played on Wednesday, November 26.

UEFA Champions League Top Goal Scorers 2025-26

Updated After Matches Played On November 26

Rank Player Club Goals
1 Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid 9
2 Victor Osimhen Galatasaray 6
3 Harry Kane Bayern Munich 5
=3 Erling Haaland Manchester City 5
5 Anthony Gordon Newcastle United 4
=5 Harvey Barnes Newcastle United 4
=5 Marcus Rashford Barcelona 4
=5 Gabriel Martinelli Arsenal 4
=5 Vitinha PSG 4
=5 Lautaro Martinez Inter Milan 4

At the moment, Mbappe is setting the pace with nine goals as Real Madrid push for another deep run in Europe. Right behind him is Victor Osimhen, whose red-hot form at Galatasaray has shocked the continent.

Meanwhile, serial scorers Haaland and Kane remain firmly in the race, proving yet again why they are two of the most reliable forwards in world football.

Who Won Last Season’s Champions League Golden Boot?

The 2024-25 Golden Boot ended in dramatic fashion — and with two winners.

Both Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund) and Raphinha (Barcelona) finished tied on 13 goals, with UEFA refusing to use tie-breakers such as assists or minutes played.

The result?
A shared Golden Boot, and a season remembered for its goal-scoring chaos.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Hansi Flick Defends Lamine Yamal After Chelsea Clash And Calls For Teen Star To Step Up

Lamine Yamal looking frustrated during Barcelona’s Champions League defeat to Chelsea.

Flick Backs Yamal After A Rough Night In London

Barcelona’s Champions League setback at Stamford Bridge has dominated headlines, and one storyline took center stage — Lamine Yamal vs Marc Cucurella. The 18-year-old starlet struggled to break free from Cucurella, whom Hansi Flick boldly labelled “one of the best full-backs in the world.”

Despite the tough showing and the teenager’s visible frustration when he was subbed off late in the match, Flick stepped in with both support and a challenge.

“Lamine is fine. Many players aren’t happy when we substitute them,” Flick said. “Cucurella is one of the best in the world… but now it’s Lamine’s turn to step up.”

A firm hand. A soft landing. Classic Flick.

Barcelona Need A Reaction After The Chelsea Collapse

Barca’s 3-0 loss featured an own goal from Jules Kounde and clinical finishes from Estevao and Liam Delap. The defeat leaves Barcelona sitting in the playoff zone of their group instead of the automatic qualification spots — not exactly the Blaugrana standard.

Flick admitted it was “tough” and the team was “feeling down,” but he pushed back against the idea that the defence alone should carry the blame.

Barcelona’s high line makes headlines every season, but Flick made the tactical demand crystal clear:

“It’s not just the defenders. If we don’t all press effectively, we’ll have problems.”

Translation?
If one gear misses, the whole Barca machine stutters.

Injury Updates: More Problems, Some Solutions

Ahead of the weekend clash against Alaves, Barcelona’s squad news is mixed:

❌ Ronald Araujo

Out with a stomach virus — and coming off a red card vs Chelsea.

❌ Fermin Lopez

Experiencing discomfort after the Chelsea match. Flick joked that sometimes even “new boots with new monthly colors” can cause issues.

✔️ Pedri

Expected to return in the second half.
Barcelona fans exhaled collectively.

✔️ Marc Bernal

Will get minutes after recovering from injury.

✔️ Andreas Christensen In Midfield?

Yes — Flick is seriously considering it alongside Eric Garcia.

✔️ Raphinha

Flick says he’s “one of the most focused players” and admits he has missed the Brazilian’s spark.

Spotlight: Yamal Must Answer The Call

Cucurella may have won the duel at Stamford Bridge, but Flick’s message is clear:

This is not about one bad night.
It is about how the young star responds.

Barcelona need energy, leadership, and bravery — and Flick believes Yamal can provide it.

For an 18-year-old carrying expectations this huge, the next match will be more than just another LaLiga fixture.
It’s a character exam.

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Ballon d’Or

Thomas Frank Backs Vitinha For Ballon d’Or After Spurs’ 5-3 Thriller Loss To PSG

Tottenham gave Paris Saint-Germain a real scare in Paris but ultimately fell 5-3 in a thrilling Champions League clash. Spurs twice led the defending champions, but a stunning second-half display from PSG, led by Vitinha, proved decisive.

Despite the defeat, Tottenham boss Thomas Frank praised his side’s performance, highlighting their grit, personality, and aggressiveness. “I’m pleased with the performance. It was the reaction I wanted from the players, from the team. Much more character, personality, aggressiveness… Today we saw it, and I’m pleased with that,” Frank told reporters.

Frank also reserved high praise for PSG midfielder Vitinha, who scored a hat-trick and finished third in this year’s Ballon d’Or. “When we played against a decent team where they have one Ballon d’Or winner and I think the next one is playing in midfield… Vitinha. Wow, what a player,” said Frank. “Vitinha is the best midfielder in the world. He will be the next Ballon d’Or winner.”

The match saw Tottenham showing signs of life after their 4-1 drubbing by Arsenal, with strikers scoring two goals and promising performances from Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall. Midfielder Gray reflected positively on the game, noting that Spurs faced “probably the best team in Europe at the moment” and that there were valuable lessons to take forward.

While Spurs now face back-to-back heavy defeats, Frank’s words underline that the team’s identity and fighting spirit remain intact. For Tottenham fans, there are positives to build on even in defeat, and lessons from facing Europe’s elite could prove invaluable.

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