Bayern Munich coach Jose Barcala has expressed his disagreement with the red card issued to Franziska Kett during Saturday’s 1-1 Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Allianz Arena. Barcala emphasized the need for a discussion regarding hair-pulling incidents in women’s football following Kett’s dismissal in the 79th minute.
Disney+ Becomes Exclusive Broadcaster for Women’s Champions League
Fans can watch all 75 matches of the season live exclusively on Disney+. For more information, visit the Disney+ website.
In a post-match interview, Barcala argued that Kett’s intention was to grab Barcelona forward Salma Pararuelo’s shirt, not her hair. He contended that while there should have been a caution issued, a red card was excessive. “There was no intention to grab her hair; perhaps she was attempting to pull her shirt and inadvertently caught the hair,” he noted.
Barcala himself faced ejection for contesting the call, remarking, “I’m a coach who never pressures referees, but I believe that Red was completely unfair. A yellow card could be justified, but not a red.” His comments reflect a broader concern about officiating inconsistencies in the women’s game.
Kett showcased her skills in front of a record crowd of 31,000, helping Bayern respond to an early setback from Eva Pajor’s goal. She solidly defended against key Barca players Caroline Graham-Hansen and Ona Batre, made a crucial save against Kata Koll just before halftime, and netted her first Champions League goal to equalize in the 69th minute.
Barcala lamented Kett’s impending absence for the return fixture at Spotify Camp Nou, stating, “She’s an essential player for us, excelling in individual duels and space defense while also contributing significantly to our attack.”
After Pajor’s early goal in the 8th minute, Bayern dominated much of the first half. Barcelona improved after halftime but struggled to capitalize on opportunities, including narrowly missing an additional goal as Patri Guijarro’s header was cleared off the line.
Pearl’s attempt in stoppage time represented one of Barcelona’s best chances, but they failed to convert, unable to leverage their extra players effectively in the game’s closing moments. Coach Pere Romeu acknowledged, “Although we were leading, our performance in the first half wasn’t ideal. We adjusted in the second half, and while we played better, we let our emotions drive us in the final minutes.”
Next Sunday, Barcelona will host Bayern in the second leg, with a chance to advance to the final against either OL Lyon or Arsenal. Both teams are aware of the intensity of the matchup, especially given Bayern’s unbeaten streak since their earlier league encounter, where Barcelona secured a decisive 7-1 victory.
Reflecting on this changing dynamic, Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putelas remarked, “The dressing room recognizes the stakes. We anticipated a different experience at Bayern’s home. With 180 minutes of total play, there are still 90 minutes remaining at Spotify Camp Nou to determine the outcome.”
