El Clasico: Zidane Found 'Holes' In Barcelona's Game, But Koeman Disagrees

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is pleased to have capitalized on Barcelona’s weakness in their El Clasico win, but Barca manager Ronald Koeman has shifted the blame on the officials.

Los Blancos edged out their eternal rivals Barcelona 3-1 in La Liga’s most prestigious derby on Saturday. Madrid captain Sergio Ramos and striker Luka Modric sealed the victory for Zidane, who lauded his entire team’s performance.

After the match, the renowned manager insisted that there’s no revenge and the rivalry had nothing to do with Madrid’s win. Instead, they tactfully exploited the “holes” in Barca’s game, which ultimately led to the team’s victory.

“We are concentrated in our work, we believe in what we do, we are together when we have to be and that is what we did today,” Zidane told AS. “We did it as a team, I'm very proud of them. When it came to defending, we had a compact unit and against a team like Barça. We have found holes and, in the end, it is about that.”

The rivaling clubs played a physical game almost the entire match. With the game tied at 1-1, the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled that Barcelona’s Clement Lenglet had pulled Ramos' shirt and rewarded the Madrid star a penalty, which he immediately converted to put Los Blancos on top by one.

Modric then scored a goal late in the game, providing the final nail in the coffin and sealing the win for Madrid.

Though Madrid’s 3-1 victory seemed decisive, Koeman was furious about the VAR’s decision and pointed out that the outcome would have been different had the referees made the right call.

“We do not agree, it was not a penalty for me,” Koeman told reporters of Ramos’ penalty after the game, per Goal.

Koeman criticized the VAR’s calls in Barcelona’s previous matches as well. According to the Dutchman, the VAR has been ruining their matches for “five games” already and he demands an explanation.

“I hope one day I can have the VAR issue in Spain explained to me,” the coach continued. “We are five games in and VAR has only ever been used against Barca. Neither [Lionel] Messi's penalty against Sevilla nor the two red card fouls against Getafe. Why is VAR only used against Barca? VAR can be great, but for all the teams. ”

“I haven't spoken to Lenglet but I did see the move,” he added. “It was a foul by Ramos on Lenglet. Then Lenglet grabbed Ramos, but not to pull him back, in any case he should have fallen forward, not back. Once again, it's not a penalty for me. The referee and VAR made that decision in a key moment of the game.”