Atlético Madrid players have voiced frustration over refereeing decisions that shaped their Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash against Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou, despite securing a 2-0 victory.
Goalkeeper Juan Musso addressed the controversy after the match. He admitted the result was positive for both the team and supporters. However, he stressed that certain officiating calls left the squad dissatisfied.
The dispute centres on an incident involving Marcos Pobel in the second half. The Atlético camp believed the midfielder was fouled inside the penalty area shortly after the hour mark. Replays suggested there was only slight contact, yet Musso insisted the decision not to award a penalty raised concerns.
He described the call as “disappointing and difficult to comprehend,” and hinted that similar rulings have gone against Atlético in major fixtures. His remarks suggest the club may consider further action over the matter.
Musso still urged focus on the team’s performance and the return leg. He made it clear that the players would not allow the situation to distract them from their objective.
“We know what we have to do,” he stated. “We must continue working, keep pushing, and ensure we’re prepared for the next 90 minutes.”
Another moment that drew attention occurred in the 54th minute. Musso played a short goal kick to Marc Poblet inside the six-yard box. Poblet handled the ball before returning it, a move that surprised many in the stadium.
The goalkeeper later defended the sequence and backed the referee’s judgement.
“The referee made the correct interpretation of the situation; the ball was not in play. Marc caught it with his hand to pass it to me… He was the one who always passed to me during every goal kick we took.”
Barcelona declined to address the controversy after the game. The Spanish side instead focused on improving their performance ahead of the second leg, where they will attempt to overturn the deficit.
The result puts Atlético Madrid in a strong position as they chase a place in the semi-finals, although debate over officiating is expected to continue before the return fixture.
