UCL: ‘Disappointing, difficult to understand’ – Atlético Madrid players angry after 2-0 win at Barça

Atlético Madrid goalkeeper, Juan Musso has addressed the refereeing controversy that overshadowed Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Spotify Camp Nou, where his team emerged victorious with a score of 2–0.

The contention revolves around an incident involving his teammate Marcos Pobel during the second half, and the Argentine goalkeeper’s remarks will further ignite the discussion regarding officiating in crucial European matches.

After the final whistle, Musso recognized that the outcome was “great for the team and the fans,” but he emphasized that the officiating decisions had left the visitors feeling wronged.

He underscored the necessity of concentrating on Atlético’s performance and the task at hand, yet his choice of words indicated that the club might be filing an official protest.

The incident in question took place shortly after the hour mark, when Pobel seemed to be fouled within the penalty area.

Television replays revealed minimal contact; however, Musso contended that the referee’s decision not to award a penalty was “disappointing and difficult to comprehend.”

He noted that similar calls frequently go against Atlético in significant matches, suggesting a recurring pattern of bias that the league’s governing body will now be compelled to address.

Barcelona, on their end, opted not to comment on the controversy, choosing instead to concentrate on their own performance and the challenge of overcoming the deficit in the second leg.

Nevertheless, sources close to the club concede that the discussion surrounding VAR protocols is unlikely to fade away in the near future, particularly with both teams set to meet again in the return fixture.

For Atlético, this victory marks a crucial step towards a possible semi-final appearance, and Musso made it clear that his teammates would remain unfazed by external distractions.

“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.”

In the 54th minute, the Atlético goalkeeper initiated a goal kick by passing the ball to his teammate, Marc Poblet, who was positioned nearby in the six-yard box. Poblet then controlled the ball with his hand and played it again, much to the surprise of the spectators.

Moussa, the player at the center of the dispute, subsequently defended the action, stating, “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.”