FC Barcelona News: 15 December 2019

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Real Sociedad 2-2 FC Barcelona: Points shared in San Sebastián | FC Barcelona
Real Sociedad away has not been an easy fixture for FC Barcelona in recent years, and two points went begging on Saturday as a vibrant encounter ended two goals apiece, meaning Real Madrid could be coming into Wednesday’s Clásico with a two-point lead. But that depends on what they do on a tough trip to Valencia on Sunday.

‘I thought penalty calls were wrong’ - Valverde refuses to blast referee after Barcelona held to draw | Goal
Ernesto Valverde declined to be critical of referee Javier Alberola Rojas follwong two penalty decisions against Barcelona in their 2-2 draw away to Real Sociedad in La Liga. The Blaugrana were denied three points this weekend in their defence of their title, having been outplayed for lengthy periods by an opposition side that saw Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard star.

De Jong: If it’s a penalty against Busquets, it’s one for Pique | Sport
Speaking to Barça TV, De Jong said: “If in the first half it’s a penalty against Busquets, in the second half you have to give the one in Pique’s favour. ”Looking back on the game, he added: “We knew it was going to be an intense game and we didn’t feel comfortable against their pressing.

‘The penalty on Pique is so clear!’ - Busquets fumes at VAR over Barcelona spot-kick controversy | Goal
A frustrated Sergio Busquets hit out at the inconsistency of referee Javier Alberola Rojas and questioned why Barcelona did not benefit from a VAR review, after they were denied an injury-time penalty in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.

Andujar Oliver: Llorente pulls Pique and a penalty should’ve been given | Marca
Barcelona left the Reale Arena feeling a little hard done by as Gerard Pique appeared to have been pulled back by Diego Llorente inside the penalty area, and former referee Andujar Oliver sided with the Blaugrana. In the dying moments of the game with the score at 2-2, the Barcelona centre-back was floored by Llorente, leaving the Catalans outraged.

Sources: Barcelona to send VAR complaint to Spanish FA after being denied late penalty | ESPN
Barcelona will complain to the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] after they were denied a late penalty in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad, sources have told ESPN. Gerard Pique appeared to be pulled down in the area in the 93rd minute of the game but referee Antonio Alberola Rojas turned down Barca’s appeals. The decision didn’t even appear to be referred to VAR.

Ivan Rakitic rejects Barcelona exit in January | Football Espana
Ivan Rakitic will not be leaving Barcelona in January, according to reports in Marca today. The Croatian international has been consistently linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this season, despite the player himself stating that he wished to remain at the club.

Source: barcablaugranes.com