Europa League 2023 : Jules Kounde should have received a red card, says Man United boss Erik Ten Hag!
Last night at the Spotify Camp Nou, an old rivalry was renewed as FC Barcelona welcomed English giants Manchester United for the 1st leg of the UEFA Europa League knockout rounds. The home team despite leading first in the second half conceded 2 goals and ultimately played out a 2-2 draw.
It was a spicy and historic fixture of two teams with equal caliber and skill set. If we go back to the late 2000s and early 2010s, Barca and the Red Devils had an epic rivalry at the elite level of European football.
https://youtu.be/FELP6z1acmI
United had a bitter time against Barcelona especially at European competitions and twice has the English outfit lost against the same opponents in UCL Final (2008/09 & 2010/11).
https://youtu.be/69nNMuTqCR4
The last time they met in a competitive fixture was back in 2018/19 for the UCL Quarter-finals. Since then both the clubs have endured massive jolts on and off the pitch. But anyways their demoted second-tier fixture produced a furious moment of United manager Erik Ten Hag.
The Dutchman complained after the match that Barca’s french defender Jules Kounde should have seen a straight red after his challenge on Marcus Rashford just outside the home team’s penalty box. Ten Hag was furious and this is what he had to say :
https://twitter.com/MufcWonItAll/status/1626337310500429831
“It was 2-1, a clear foul on Marcus Rashford and a penalty. If itās in the box or just outside the box, itās definitely a red card. I asked the referee: why? He said it was outside the box and it was no foul. The referee and the linesman were in a good position and if not there is the VAR. Itās not good. Itās a really bad decision. Maybe they were impressed by the pressure that Barcelona made but they canāt be at the highest level.”
Meanwhile, there is still a lot to play for in the 2nd leg as the score is tied at 2-2. Barcelona took the lead within 4 minutes into the second-half after Marcos Alonso headed a corner into the near post from a very acuter angle. But, Man United through their in-form Number 10 Rashford, equalized in the 52nd minute.
https://youtu.be/OglzFWF-Ikk
Then United took the lead for the first time 7 minutes later after Jules Kounde put the ball in his own net to help the visitors enjoy their time at Catalonia. But there wasn’t much to worry for Xavi Hernandez as Raphinha struck a beamer from the left side of the pitch and Robert Lewandowski successfully fooled United defenders into thinking that he will tap-in.
Random Raphinha goals are lovepic.twitter.com/lqKX2zhWoY
— Fermi (@BarcaFermi) February 17, 2023
