Barcelona's Valverde blames referee for Las Palmas draw before Atlético showdown

• Calleri penalty frustrates Barcelona manager in 1-1 draw
• Atlético five points behind leaders before Sunday’s clash
  

Ernesto Valverde was not at all impressed with the penalty decision that gave lowly Las Palmas, 18th in La Liga, an equaliser at Estadio Gran Canaria. Jonathan Calleri, briefly of West Ham United, converted the kick to level the match at 1-1, and in the 42 minutes plus injury time that remained, Barcelona could not find another goal. “We have defended very well, with intensity and courage,” gushed Las Palmas’ manager, Paco Jémez.

The Barcelona manager, Ernesto Valverde, chose instead to focus on referee Antonio Lahoz. In particular, he was outraged at his decision to penalise Lucas Digne for handball – and not Sergi Roberto’s foul on Matias Aguirregaray as some thought at the time.

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