Valencia, Spain: Jordi Alba’s late equaliser maintained Barcelona’s four-point lead over Valencia at the top of La Liga in a 1-1 draw at Mestalla on Sunday overshadowed by the league’s lack of goal line technology.
Lionel Messi’s first-half effort clearly crossed the line, but wasn’t allowed to stand as, unlike other major European leagues, La Liga has refused to introduce the technology on cost grounds.
Rodrigo’s opener on the hour mark rubbed salt into Barca’s wounds, but the visitors responded when Messi picked out Alba eight minutes from time to ensure both sides remain unbeaten in La Liga.
However, just a second slip up from Barca this season does allow Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to close to within eight points of the leaders.
“It was a monumental error by the referee,” Alba told Movistar.
“Even I could see it was in from the middle of the pitch. We saw the replay at half-time and it’s clear.”
La Liga does, though, intend to introduce video assistant refereeing (VAR) for controversial decisions next season. “VAR is something which will help football and will stop moments like this happening,” added Alba.
Gerard Pique’s absence at the heart of the Barca defence through suspension meant a first La Liga start for Thomas Vermaelen in nearly two years.
However, Valencia failed to expose any fragility in the visitors’ backline in the first 45 minutes as Barca dominated the ball without creating too many clear-cut chances. — AFP
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