The first leg of the quarterfinal clash left more than just a 0-2 defeat for FC Barcelona. After the final whistle at Spotify Camp Nou, Hansi Flick did not hold back, directing strong criticism toward VAR for what he believes was a decisive moment in the match.

The German manager pointed to a second-half incident in which Marc Pubill handled the ball inside the box following a sequence initiated by Juan Musso, yet neither the referee nor the VAR intervened. For Flick, the play was clear enough to warrant a review.

Controversial Decisions Under Scrutiny

Speaking after the match, Hansi Flick questioned why VAR failed to step in, especially considering that the video assistant referee was German. His frustration was evident, as he stated he could not understand the lack of intervention.

Flick also compared this situation to the red card shown to Pau Cubarsí just before halftime, a decision that was thoroughly reviewed by VAR. According to the coach, there was a lack of consistency in officiating standards throughout the game, which ultimately impacted the outcome.

He further revealed that no clear explanation was provided by the officials regarding the handball incident, adding to the sense of dissatisfaction after a match in which his side created multiple scoring opportunities.

Belief Remains Ahead of Second Leg

Despite the controversy, Hansi Flick praised his team’s response, particularly in the second half when FC Barcelona competed with ten men and still managed to challenge a strong Atlético de Madrid side.

The coach highlighted the performance of Lamine Yamal, calling him one of the standout players of the match, and urged referees to offer more protection to young talents of his caliber. He also clarified that Pedri was substituted due to minor physical discomfort, as a precaution.

With the tie still open, Flick made it clear that his team believes in its ability to turn things around in the second leg at the Metropolitano. 

Watch beIN SPORTS Xtra live for free on YouTube