FC Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid : Five things we learned

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MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 13: FC Barcelona players Arda Turan (3dL), Neymar JR. (L), Javier Alejandro Mascherano (2ndL) and Sergi Roberto (R) argues with referee Nicola Rizzoli (2ndR) during the UEFA Champions League quarter final, second leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Vincente Calderon on April 13, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

5. Missed calls on both sides of the field

Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have a right to complain about the referee’s choices tonight. There were certainly some controversial calls on both sides. It is safe to say that both clubs were not happy with the calls made.

Atletico will have a lot to say in this game. Both Luis Suarez and Neymar were lucky to get away with only yellow cards especially the latter considering he kicked out at Juanfran when a ball went out-of-bounds on a goal kick. Good on Atletico’s part on getting inside the heads of both Neymar and Suarez and it almost paid off. Diego Godin got inside Suarez’s head as well and threw him off. But the biggest shout was on the handball by Andres Iniesta late in the game. The midfielder clearly threw out his hand to stop a cross that surely would have led to an open net. In live time it seemed that Iniesta would get sent off but the referee just opted for a penalty kick. Even Barcelona supporters have to admit Iniesta got very lucky with that call.

Barcelona also have a shout as well in the dying moments of the game when the ball struck Gabi’s hand and it was ruled outside of the box. But replay showed it was inside the box. The game could have been tied up for Barcelona and it would have sent them to extra time. But now we may never know.

Next: 4. Where was MSN?

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