El Clásico: Barcalona's Champions League Luck Contunues at Santiago Bernabéu

Since 2006, the way that Barcelona FC has found itself in the Champions League final has been from fortuitous circumstances.

In the semi-finals of 2006, Shevchenko’s headed goal which would send his AC Milan team to the final was wrongly chalked off by the referee.

In 2009 one of the worst refereed games in Champions League history took place and again Barcelona was lucky when Chelsea FC had a few clear cut penalties denied.

Now in 2011 in the recent "Clasico," lady luck seemed to be on Barcelona’s side again. How Pedro was still on the pitch after half-time defies belief.

Now we know why he always holds his face when he falls down. It is clearly to hide the shame of tumbling and rolling on the grass like a six year old just so he can get his opponent sent off.

Six officials watching the game and not one of them saw him faking a hit to the face? How can UEFA even accept these kind of performances from the most important people on the pitch?

Then came the red card for Real Madrid’s midfield enforcer, Pepe. The slow motion replays show that he just got the ball before getting the opposing player who was Dani Alves, Barca’s right back.

Nevertheless, it is known, especially in Champions League games, that these types of tackles, with the studs showing, are punished. The decision was a correct one.

It is truly baffling however that Dani was allowed to stay on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. In the first half he brought down Di Maria, Real’s left winger, three times. On the third time the Brazilian finally got his booking.

Later on in the second half Dani Alves clearly stopped Di Maria in his tracks by stepping right in front of the Argentine thus stopping his surge forward. At any other time this action would merit a yellow card. So why not now?

It is a shame that all these instances happen, because it takes away from the few high-quality things that ensue throughout these contests.

In yesterdays semifinal that high-quality instance was Messi’s second goal which was exhilarating.

But what comes to mind after that is all the “what if’s.” What if Pedro was sent off for faking for example?

All these refereeing decisions are making people start to think about the integrity of the competition. Not only that, it is also making people dislike Barcelona as a team.  You don’t believe me? Look at every football blog on the internet.

The way their players always overreact to every foul make them seem like spoilt brats. Furthermore their constant whining to the referee does not help either. Not that Real Madrid's players are any different, but for some reason it always seems less deliberate.

If Barcelona FC makes it to the final of the most important club competition in Europe, will it be deserved? It is a question that I think has already been answered.