Pedri's take on Balde's controversial handball: "Tchouaméni's on Montjuïc was clear and wasn't called, but for me this one wasn't."

FC Barcelona midfielder Pedri González was the Blaugrana player who spoke the most about Balde's controversial handball that made Levante 2-0, a result that forced the Catalan side to work hard to come back and take the victory, including a goal from the Canary Islander.

"We recently had a talk at the training ground about handball, and, for example, Tchouaméni's handball at Montjuïc last year was clearly a handball and wasn't called. This one, for me, wasn't a handball, and they called it. I don't understand it. They should explain it clearly for everyone so we can all understand it," he stated emphatically after the match.

Barça manager Hansi Flick also made it clear in the press conference that he didn't think it was Balde's handball and stated that he doesn't need any more refereeing discussions on the matter.

"No, I don't need them. I don't know if it was clear; for me, maybe what I saw wasn't. But in the end, he decided that way, and we have to accept it," he lamented regarding what the 2-0 result entailed.

"The penalty situation is crucial when you get awarded one. I think you get a little angry, but in the end the referee analyzed the situation and decided this ; and we have to accept it, that's how it is for me. The important thing is that we go home, to Barcelona, ​​with the three points. That's the most important thing," the German coach insisted.

The controversy erupted at the end of the first half. On a Levante counterattack, José Luis Morales attempted to score the second, but the ball hit Balde twice , and VAR intervened, allowing the referee to award a penalty.

After a review of the action, which was highly controversial due to the position of the Spanish player's arm, Hernández Hernández awarded the penalty and Morales extended Levante's lead.