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Barcelona’s Champions League journey came to a frustrating end at the Metropolitano, and while the 2-1 win on the night showed fight and quality, the tie against Atletico Madrid will be remembered just as much for the refereeing calls as for the football itself.
In a match filled with intensity and pressure, three key decisions from referee Clement Turpin and the VAR team proved decisive, leaving Barcelona players and fans questioning what might have been.
The first incident
The first major flashpoint arrived just before half-time when Dani Olmo went down inside the box after contact from Marcos Llorente.
The Barcelona midfielder had done well to beat his marker and position himself for a shot, only to be nudged off balance at a crucial moment.
Despite loud appeals, Turpin waved play on, and VAR, led by Jerome Brisard, chose not to intervene.
The decision immediately sparked debate, with refereeing analyst Cesar Barrenechea Montero offering a telling assessment of the incident.
“It’s a borderline decision. If he had awarded a penalty, nobody would have said a word,” noted Cesar Barrenechea Montero, a refereeing analyst for Mundo Deportivo.
The second incident
A truly horrific incident involving Fermin Lopez and Juan Musso unfolded during the match.
Reacting to Lamine Yamal’s cross, Fermin decided to go for a header and the follow-up from Musso resulted in a nose injury for the Barcelona youngster.
Medical personnel rushed onto the scene, and he was treated soon. Ultimately, the Spaniard wasn’t taken off as he continued to play.
The third incident
After a disallowed goal from Ferran Torres, the second major incident effectively sealed Barcelona’s fate.
In the 77th minute, Alexander Sorloth broke through on goal before being pulled down by Eric Garcia. Initially flagged for offside, the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
Turpin was called to the monitor to assess whether it constituted a clear goal-scoring opportunity and whether Jules Kounde could have intervened.
Eric Garcia was subsequently sent off, leaving Barcelona with ten men in the closing stages, a disadvantage they could not overcome despite their efforts.
