‘It feels unfair’ – Hansi Flick rages after Barcelona’s Champions League loss to Atletico

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick delivered an impassioned critique of the officiating after his side fell 2-0 to Atlético Madrid in the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night, insisting pivotal decisions undermined the Catalan club’s hopes.

Central to Flick’s frustration was a second-half incident in which Atlético defender Marc Pubill appeared to handle the ball inside the area, only for play to continue without intervention from either the on-field referee or the video review team. The German coach labelled the non-call inexplicable.

“For me, it’s a clear red—well, a second yellow—and a penalty,” Flick stated. “The VAR can explain why it’s not reviewed. I can’t believe it’s not a red card. It feels not good. It feels unfair.”

The visitors’ task grew steeper moments later when teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsi received his marching orders. Flick questioned whether the dismissal was warranted, noting, “I’m not sure he touched him enough because the ball was behind him.”

Despite the two-goal deficit and the sense of injustice echoing around the away dressing room, Flick struck a defiant tone ahead of next week’s return fixture at the Metropolitano.

“We have to accept it,” he said. “We will fight next Tuesday.”

Barcelona now face the uphill assignment of overturning the loss in the Spanish capital, where Atlético will look to finish off the tie and secure passage to the semi-finals.