Diego Simeone has insisted “there is some common sense” in the refereeing after Atletico Madrid’s historic 2-0 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou, a result that leaves the Rojiblancos with one foot in the Champions League semi finals.
For the first time in their history, Atletico have won at Camp Nou. Let that sink in. Never before. Until now.
The victory was massive. Tactically disciplined. Clinically executed. And yes, controversial.
But Simeone is not interested in the noise.
‘We’d never won here before’
The Argentine manager acknowledged the significance of the result immediately.
“We’d never won here before,” he said. “It’s very difficult against a team that plays what is arguably the best football in Europe alongside PSG and Bayern.
“Thanks to some good teamwork, we were able to make the difference at the crucial moments of the match.
“Going 2-0 up gave us more confidence, and it’s a shame we couldn’t build on that lead a bit more.”
One shot on target. Two goals.
Here is the stat that will annoy Barcelona fans. Atletico managed just ONE shot on target against a ten man Barcelona side.
One.
And they scored twice.
Simeone, ever the pragmatist, shrugged it off.
“I could tell you a thousand stories about matches where we’ve had 30 shots and didn’t score,” he said.
“Football is wonderful because clinical finishing is key. We were extremely clinical tonight, whereas on other nights we haven’t been.”
It is hard to argue with that. Football does not care about xG. It cares about the ball hitting the net.
The Pubill handball: ‘Common sense’
The major talking point, the one that has Barcelona fuming, involved Marc Pubill.
The Atletico defender picked the ball up with his hands after a short goal kick, seemingly unaware play had restarted. No penalty. No card. Just a do over.
Barcelona are considering a formal complaint to UEFA. Simeone was asked about it.
His response? Dismissive.
“There is some common sense here,” he said. “If Marc received a supposed pass to start the move, the referee saw it the same way as Marc.”
In other words: the referee interpreted it as Pubill believing the ball was not yet in play. No intent. No penalty. Move on.
Barcelona will see it differently. But Simeone does not care.
What this means for the tie
Atletico take a 2-0 lead back to the Metropolitano for the second leg. Barcelona need a miracle.
Playing against Simeone’s side with a two goal deficit is a nightmare scenario. Atletico will sit. They will defend. They will frustrate. And they will wait for their moment on the counter.
Barcelona have the quality to turn it around. But they will need to be perfect. And they will need the referee to see things differently than he did in the first leg.
Simeone, for his part, is already thinking about the semi finals.
“We’ve taken a massive step,” he said. “But the job is not done.”
Camp Nou has fallen. The Metropolitano awaits. And Atletico are 90 minutes from glory.
