FC Barcelona in the shadows: between broken genius and referee injustice
FC Barcelona’s upward trajectory, which seemed irresistible under the leadership of Hansi Flick, has just come to a sudden halt. It is not only the bitter defeat against Girona that resonates on the sides of the Camp Nou (or rather Montjuïc), but also the diffuse and persistent feeling that the Catalan club is not only fighting against eleven opponents, but against a real “dark force.” By losing the lead in La Liga against Real Madrid, Barça finds itself at the center of a storm in which refereeing decisions seem to follow a script written in advance.
L’Ombre by Cesar Soto Grado
The match against Girona will remain in the memory ofpartnersas a scene of flagrant injustice. At the center of the criticism: referee César Soto Grado. This name, already synonymous with controversy for Blaugrana fans, has once again crystallized the anger. The breaking point came in Girona’s decisive goal. The images, however, are unmistakable: Claudio Echeverri made an obvious mistake by stepping on Jules Koundé’s foot just before Fran Beltrán drove the ball into the back of the net.
Despite the vehement protests of the Barcelona players and the technological evidence, Soto Grado and the VAR cell remained impassive. This refusal to consult the control screen, this “coldness” in the application of justice at two levels, only confirms the fears expressed by Joan Laporta and Rafa Yuste: Barça evolves in a hostile environment where each contentious decision seems to systematically lean towards the same side.
The Mystery of Grief by Lamine Yamal
The lack of understanding does not stop in a defensive phase of the game. Before the break, a technical and regulatory incident deprived Barça of the possibility of regaining the advantage. Lamine Yamal had his penalty rejected, but the FIFA regulations are clear: if players from both sides (in this case Bryan Gil of Girona and Frenkie de Jong of Barça) enter the penalty area before the kicker’s foot touches the ball, the penalty must be disallowed.
Once again, the whistle fell silent. This refereeing silence is not a simple human error; It is an accumulation of “details” that, together, distort the fairness of the championship. How can we explain such strict protocols being ignored at crucial moments of the season?
A systemic conspiracy?
The Catalan club’s frustration goes beyond a single game. It is part of a suspicious temporality. A few days before this shock, Rafa Yuste had filed an official complaint with the Spanish Federation (RFEF) for the errors of Juan Martínez Munuera during the Copa del Rey semi-final against Atlético de Madrid, in particular the unjustified annulment of a goal by Pau Cubarsi.
The authorities’ response seems almost ironic: while Barça are denied valid goals, Real Madrid benefits from two generous penalties during their match against Real Sociedad. The appointment of Soto Grado as Barça referee right after these complaints seems, for many, a provocation or a deliberate attempt to “put Hansi Flick’s team in order.” The term “systematic persecution” is no longer just a cry from the fans, but has become a working hypothesis for the club’s management.
Necessary self-criticism: the other side of the coin
However, Hansi Flick, a man of rigor and pragmatism, refuses to take refuge solely in the alibi of arbitration. If Barça lost it is also because it showed signs of internal fragility. The very high defense system, a trademark of the German coach, is a double-edged sword. Without constant pressure and constant physical intensity, this high block becomes a huge “Achilles heel.”
Girona’s quick equalizer after Cubarsi opened the scoring revealed a guilty lack of concentration. In the absence of Pedri, the master of the Canarian game, the midfielder lost his ability to dictate the pace. Without this creative break, Barça rushed into a wild transition game that ended up wearing them down. Pedri’s return is expected next week as the messiah who restores this broken balance.
The maturity of the Masía in the storm
In the midst of this chaos, there remains a ray of hope: the exceptional maturity of young talents. At only 19 years old, Pau Cubarsi has shown a wisdom that some veterans do not have. Stating after the match:“Everyone saw what happened, but we should not criticize the referee. We have to look in the mirror because we conceded avoidable goals.”, showed the path to resilience.
This professional attitude honors the institution, but should not obscure the political reality of Spanish football. Barça is currently alone against everyone. To win this league, the Catalans will have to be not only better than their rivals, but also stronger than the mistakes (or intentions) of those who hold the whistle.
The path to the title seems like a cross path. Between a Real Madrid that seems to benefit from a favorable tailwind and a refereeing body attacked by criticism, FC Barcelona must transform its anger into creative energy. The “dark force” mentioned by leaders may be real, but the pure talent of this new generation, if it can erase its defensive errors, remains the best remedy against injustice.
The season is still long and, in the end, it is often the truth on the ground that triumphs, even if it has to break down walls of indifference.
