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.
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<p>Suarez had his troubles with Godin and Neymar had to deal with Juanfran. All three had big time match ups and all three lost. Credit should be given to Atletico but a front three like Messi, Neymar, and Suarez should do better. This is the third game in a row they have struggled. Fourth if you include El Clasico, a game in which neither of the three scored. Suarez could get a little bit of a pass considering he was banned for the Real Sociedad but he was just as poor as the other two. Neymar had a solid game against Atletico in the first leg but failed to do the same in the second leg. When Barcelona need them the most, the trident disappeared.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/04/14/fc-barcelona-vs-atletico-madrid-five-things-learned-2/2/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">3. Gabi</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_409957" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-409957" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/04/14/fc-barcelona-vs-atletico-madrid-five-things-learned-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F520931648-club-atletico-de-madrid-v-fc-barcelona-uefa-champions-league-quarter-final-second-leg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 13: Gabi of Atletico Madrid celebrates after 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3. Gabi was the man of the match</h3>
<p>A whole lot of credit should be given to the Atletico defense for standing firm and limiting the chances of Barcelona. The main man who was the conductor on the field was the captain Gabi. He is everything you expect from a Diego Simeone coached player. Tough, won’t back down from anyone, and plays with his heart on a sleeve. He was fantastic in the midfield, sitting back in a more defensive role. He made clearances at the exactly the right time and helped keep Mess in check in the center of the park. Although his handball was in the box, Gabi still played a great game. The usual rock in the midfield for Atletico was doing his usual work and frustrated possibly the best player in the world.</p>
<p>He will be facing some high-powered midfielders no matter what team Atletico draw and he will have his work cut out for him. Gabi has to be careful not to be baited into any silly yellow cards or tackles. He must keep his cool and keep his stamina up as well given he will be running around on defense a lot in the semi-finals. Credit to Gabi in showing he is one of the underrated midfielders in the world.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/04/14/fc-barcelona-vs-atletico-madrid-five-things-learned-2/2/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">2. Diego Simeone</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_409958" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-409958" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/04/14/fc-barcelona-vs-atletico-madrid-five-things-learned-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F520930440-fbl-eur-c1-atletico-barcelona-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Atletico Madrid’s Argentinian coach Diego Simeone smiles before the Champions League quarter-final second leg football match Club Atletico de Madrid VS FC Barcelona at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on April 13, 2016. / AFP / GERARD JULIEN (Photo credit should read GERARD JULIEN/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3><strong>2. Diego Simeone’s magic </strong></h3>
<p>Out of all the coaches left in the UEFA Champions League, Diego Simeone has to be the most interesting to follow on the sidelines. In fact, he may be the best manager in the world when it comes to running around the touch-line. If they could keep a camera on Simeone during a game a lot of people would watch it. But nobody can say anything about the way he motivates his players. Simeone’s players would put their life on the line for their coach and it shows on the pitch.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>It has been a wonderful construction of a team by Simeone. He has accomplished so much with this team so far. He has taken Atletico to an Champions League final, a La Liga title, Copa Del Rey title, and now a Champions League semi-final berth. The manager from Argentina has brought a physical style to Atletico and has created a certain mentality at the club. There were reports of him leaving the club this summer but that has all gone to rest. He will surely be one of the most talked about managers in the world and many teams will be chasing him but don’t expect him to leave. He is the heart of the club and is working a renaissance in Madrid.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/04/14/fc-barcelona-vs-atletico-madrid-five-things-learned-2/2/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">1. Free falling Barcelona</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_409959" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-409959" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/04/14/fc-barcelona-vs-atletico-madrid-five-things-learned-2/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F520930912-club-atletico-de-madrid-v-fc-barcelona-uefa-champions-league-quarter-final-second-leg-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 13: Neymar and Luis Suarez of Barcelona look dejected 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>1. Barcelona are falling and they are falling fast.</h3>
<p>It has been all downhill for Barcelona since the international break and all of a sudden everything is in shambles. They crashed out of the Champions League, extending the streak to 26 years of teams not being able to win back to back years.</p>
<p>La Liga is also in trouble for Barcelona as back to back losses now see them only up three points on Atletico Madrid and don’t forget about Real Madrid. The only thing not in danger right now is the Copa Del Rey final but as of right now, Barcelona have to be wary of Sevilla as well. In fact, Barcelona have to be wary of everyone. They way they are playing right now, they can lose to anyone and I mean anyone.</p>
<p>Barcelona have to find something positive to bank on going for the rest of the year. They are in a major slump and need to get out of it fast. Leo Messi has gone a couple of games without recording an assist or goal and it has really hurt Barcelona. We saw in the Champions League last year that Messi produced some magic last year to help Barcelona to their cup win. It was against Bayern Munich and against Juventus when he produced some magic and when it was when Barca needed it the most. This time he didn’t help produce and it costed them.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">